
Gass-ER 55^ 
Book L_ 



pfet 



/ 862 




No.„_1A1§._.. 

LIBRARY 

OF THE 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 

Alcove, 

Shelf, 



ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 






)l I* 



ST. CLEMENT'S EVE 



A PLAY. 



BY 



HENEY TAYLOE, 

* i 

AUTHOU OF "PHILIP VAN AETEYELDE, 



LONDON : CHAPMAN AND HALL> 193, PICCADILLY. 
18612. 



fRss4-s 
TTi'S 3 



By Transfer 
Dept. of State 

DEC 1 1935 



i * 



LONDON : l'RINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET. 



TO 



HIS EOYAL HIGHNESS THE DUC D'AUMALE, 



I 



THIS COMMEMORATION 



1*1 OF A PRINCE OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF FRANCE, 

MORE FAVOURED EY NATURE THAN BY FORTUNE, 



IS DEDICATED 



WITH GREAT RESPECT 



BY 



THE AUTHOR. 



PEEFACE, 



In this Play I have desired to give some such 
representation as dramatic writing can convey, of a 
period in the history of France under Charles VI. 
when society was reduced, by disorders in the 
realm and schism in the Church, to perhaps the 
worst condition of which the Middle Ages afford 
an example. The only feature of the time which 
can be contemplated with pleasure is the exceeding 
love which the people bare to their afflicted 
King. For the alienation of his mind, though 
intermittent, relieved him in their eyes from all 
responsibility for their sufferings; showing how 



X PREFACE, 

deprivation of power in a Sovereign (casual it is 
true in this case, but significant perhaps of the 
like results in cases in which it is politically 
ordained,) may tend to enhance, rather than 
abate, the love and reverence of the people. 
Popular indignation was directed upon others, 
whilst loyalty and pity held a free course ; and 
the youthful errors of the King (which were not 
those of an evil disposition) were forgotten in his 
calamity. He deserved that they should be for- 
gotten ; for so often as reason returned, he seemed 
to be as tenderly sensible of the sufferings of his 
subjects as they were of his ; and what little pre- 
carious power he possessed from time to time, 
walking always on the edge of insanity, was 
exerted for their relief. 

His brother Louis, Duke of Orleans, was the 
representative of the chivalry of France for the 
time being; "Bien si chevaleresque," says the 



PREFACE. XI 

historian. "D'ailleurs il etoit aimable, agreable 
" et doux dans ses manieres, son langage etoit facile, 
" raisonable et seduisant ; il savoit s'entretenir 
" mieux qu'aucun Prince avec les Docteurs et les 
" honimes habiles des conseils du Eoi." And in the 
appeal delivered to the Council by the Abbe of 
St. Fiacre on the part of his widow, shortly after 
his death, it is averred to have been known to 
every one that in eloquence and discernment his 
equal was hardly to be found ; " Sapiebat" he 
adds, "sicut Angelus Domini;" whilst in his life 
and manners he was frank, gentle, and com- 
passionate ; and in personal beauty, says the Abbe, 
if that were a matter to be spoken of, there needed 
no more to be said than that he resembled the 
King. 

If the Duke was chivalrous, not so was the age 
in which he lived. Nor indeed is chivalry (in the 
sense of nobility of mind) the attribute of any age, 



Xll PKEFACE. 

or of Knights and Nobles at large in any time or 
country, though, there may be more individual 
examples of it in one age than in another. And 
those who like Ariosto (himself born in the fifteenth 
century) ascribe it to a class, will generally be 
found, like him, to put it back to a few centuries 
before any times that they can know much about. 
The fifteenth century at all events was full of 
frauds and treacheries in every walk of life ; and 
even a chivalrous man in those days, if sagacious, 
might have been expected to be suspicious. But 
amongst the chivalrous qualities of Louis Duke of 
Orleans was a generous, perhaps careless, confi- 
dence in men who were not worthy to be trusted. 
The antagonist by whom he was first confronted 
at his Brother's court, his Uncle Philippe le Hardi, 
Duke of Burgundy, was, it is true, as honourable 
as himself; and Louis probably made no mistake 
when, in a will dated in the season of their 



PREFACE. Xlll 

hostility, with a magnanimous faith in the other's 
magnanimity, he left his children to the guardian- 
ship of his enemy. But his Uncle died before 
him, and when the quarrel descended to Philippe's 
son, « Jean sans Peur," Louis' confidence in the 
honour of an enemy was fatally misplaced. 

For whilst the Duke of Orleans represented the 
chivalry of the time such as it was (not a virtuous 
or stainless chivalry) the new Duke of Burgundy 
w r as an equally genuine representative of its 
cruelty and pride. If he was without fear, he 
was also without faith, and his short career was 
scarcely less perfidious than ferocious, from the 
tragedy in the Vieille Eue du Temple, till justice 
met him, in the form of what may be called 
specific retribution, on the bridge at Montereau. 

The fidelity of an historian is not to be expected 
of a dramatist. Some transposition of events and 
compression of time have been necessary to bring 



XIV PKEFACE. 

certain salient incidents of the period within the 
compass of the action ; and without some variation 
of detail truth to art must have been sacrificed to 
historic truth in a larger measure than is de- 
manded for the chief ends which historic truth is 
designed to subserve. Even incidents which, 
being historically true, were at the same time 
eminently dramatic or picturesque, have not 
always been available, inasmuch as they could not 
be harmonized with other dramatic effects. But 
under these conditions (which are I believe 
inevitable in all such works) my endeavour 
has been to represent faithfully the characters 
of the principal persons and the temper of the 
times. 

The contemporary or nearly contemporary 
authorities are the Chronicles of Jean Juvenal des 
Ursins, of the Eeligieux de St. Denys, and of 
Monstrelet ; and a narrative almost equally minute, 



PREFACE. XV 

but less diffuse and more animated, may be read 
in the "Histoire des Dues De Burgogne de la 
Maison de Valois," by M. De Barante ; an author 
who, more than any other modern historian, seems 
to live in the times of which he writes. 

East Sheen, 
April, 1862. 



ST. CLEMENT'S EYE: 

A PLAY. 



DEAMATIS PERSONS. 



MEN. 

Charles the Sixth of France (otherwise Charles Le Fou, or 

Charles Le Bien Aime). 
Louis, Duke of Orleans, his brother. 

Jean, Duke of Burgundy, his cousin (otherwise Jean-Sans-Peur). 
The Bastard of Montargis, \ Followers of the Duke of 
Raiz de Vezelay, f Burgundy. 

Eaoul de Rouvroy, \ 

Ranulph de Roche-Baron, and \ also Burgundians. 

others, J 

Geoffrey de Layal, Page to the Duke of Orleans. 
Gris-Nez, Fool to the Duke of Orleans. 
Henri de Vierzon, \ 

Rene d'Aicelin, \ Orleanists. 

Lore de Cassinel, and others, J 
Robert de Menuot (othenvise Robert the Hermit). 
The Provost of Paris. 
The Archbishop of Paris. 
The Dukes of Berri and Bourbon, and the Titular King of 

Sicily, Princes of the Blood Royal of France. 
Fathers Buyulan and Betizac, Augustinian Monks. 
Passac, the King's Barber. 
The King's Chamberlain ; A Serjeant of the Watch ; A Painter ; 

Priests ; Citizens ; Officers of Justice. 

WOMEN. 

The Abbess of the Celestines. 

IOLANDE DE St. ReMY, 

Flos de Flavy, 

Nuns, Novices, and Pupils. 

Place, Paris. Time, November, 1407. 



i Pupils in that Convent. 



ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. 

A Hall in the Palace of the Archbishop of Paris. 
The Provost of Paris and Eobert the Hermit. 

provost. 
His Grace is not yet risen ; his health is weak ; 
Bul^ from his chaplain we shall hear anon 
Whether it please him, when the Council meets, 
To call yon in. I doubt not that he will. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

My call is from a greater than His Grace, 
Whom both obey. 



w^m 



4 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

PROVOST. 

Meantime 'tis fit yon know 
What face we wear at Paris. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

France elsewhere 
Bleeds from a thousand wounds. Each step I took 
In my long journey hither, brought in sight 
Old scars and new. What face the town puts on 
Thou shalt instruct me ; for God gives me leave 
To learn from pious men. 

PROVOST. 

Slowly the King 
Picks up the fragments of his shattered mind, 
And as the daylight on his reason dawns 
Beholds his kingdom a bewildered wreck 
Tost to and fro by factions, rent and riven 
By these two rival Dukes ; his brother first, 
And next his cousin, seizing sovran sway, 
And each so using it as makes good men 
Hope something from a change. When Orleans 

rules, 
With dance and song a light and dissolute grace 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. E 

Doth something gild misgovernment ; whilst they 
Who hear him, 'twixt a revel and a masque, 
Give audience to some Doctor of the Church, 
Grave as the Doctor's self and gracious more, 
Cannot but marvel that a man so sage, 
And for his years so learned, should misuse 
The gifts of God and be his country's curse. 
Then comes that other Duke, revengeful, rough, 
Imperious and cruel ; and they who winced 
Beneath his cousin's handling, wonder now 
That they were not content. You'll see them both ; 
For when the King's physicians gave him leave 
To sit in council, he bade both attend, 
Thinking to put their discords into tune ; 
Wherein when Jove and Saturn meet and kiss 
There's hope he may prevail. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

On either head 
A \ 7 ial will I empty. 

PROVOST. 

Well — so — well — 
But if I err not, the Archbishop's Grace 



6 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act i. 

Would gladly know the purport and the drift 
Of that you shall discourse. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

It may not be. 
Say to His Grace I know it not myself. 
Whate'er God puts it in my heart to say 
That will I speak ; but counsel will I none 
With mortal man. 

PROVOST. 

The courage of the tongue 
Is truly, like the courage of the hand, 
Discreetly used, a prizeable possession ; 
But what befits the presence of a King 
Is boldness tempered with some touch of fear. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

There where I stand in presence of my King 
There stand I, too, in presence of my God. 
Fearing my God I come before my King 
With reverence, as is meet, but not with fear. 

PROVOST. 

Well, for the King, poor gentleman, no speech 
How bold soe'er and telling bitter truth 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT S EYE. 7 

Would meet a frown from him. His brother shares 

The sweetness of his nature. Other clay 

Dug from some miry slough or sulphurous bog 

With many a vein of mineral poison mixed 

Went to the making of Duke Jean-Sans-Peur. 

This knew the crafty Amorabaquin. 

When captives by the hundred were hewn down 

'Twas not rich ransom only spared the Duke. 

'Twas that a dying Dervise prophesied 

More Christian blood should by his mean be shed 

Than e'er by Bajazet with all his hosts. 

Therefore it was to France he sent him back 

With gifts, and what were they ? 'twas bowstrings 

made 
Of human entrails. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Choice the offering ! Yea, 
Fit bounty of fit patron to fit friend. 

PROVOST. 

Good Eobert, neither thine nor yet that voice, 
Were it again on earth, which sobered Saul, 
Can mitigate Duke John or heal the strife 



8 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

Which from these quarrelsome cousins breathes 

abroad 
War, pestilence and famine. Hope it not. 
Once by His Grace of Bourbon's intercession 
Peace was patched up and injuries forgiven. 
Well, some three months was wonderful accord ; 
Then came black looks, and then " To arms, to 

arms !" 
The sole sick hope of France is in the King. 
Awhile his malady remits and joy 
Lights up the land ; then darkness redescends. 
Give but to him stability of health 
And all were well. Alas ! it will not be. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Whence came the chastisement the mercy may. 

PROVOST. 

Whence came the chastisement we know ; but how, 

And wherefore, was a mystery for long years 

And diversely discoursed. Urban of Eome 

Did nothing doubt 'twas that the King had owned 

Clement of Avignon ; whilst Clement knew 

'Twas that he fought not to the death 'gainst Urban ; 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. £ 

His doctors said 'twas that he ceased their drugs ; 

All doctors else that he had sometime ta'en them ; 

The people deemed it in its first assault 

A judgment for the imposts and the aids, 

But seeing these have doubled since, they fell 

From this belief, and being he was a boy 

When first afflicted, were it this, they said, 

His Council should go mad and not himself. ' 

Thus error is but transient, truth prevails 

Sure as day follows night, and now none doubts, 

What to wise men was patent from the first, 

That 'tis the work of sorcerers, men accursed 

And slaves of Satan and by him suborned 

Upon this Christian kingdom to bring down 

Disaster and dismay, and snare the souls 

Of thousands daily shedding brothers' blood. 

But who they be, these sorcerers, there's the doubt : 

Not few have been impeached and hanged or burnt ; 

But no success ensuing, the charge, 'tis deemed, 

Was fashioned in excess of godly zeal 

Which Satan misdirected ; thus the quest 

Is daily keener lest the King relapse ; 

And there be now arrived two monks from Eu 



10 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

Who know to search out sorceries. Much hope 
Is squandered on these monks, but for myself 
I like them not ; they ride in coats of mail 1 
And waste the night in riot and debauch. 
Still if they know their art, far be it from me 
To question of their lives. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

If these be evil 
Their art is not of God nor aught avails 
For counterworking Satan. Let them troop. 
I will not suffer them. 

PROYOST. 

Kay but we must. 
'Tis partly herein to advise the King 
The Council meets to-day. 

Enter the Archbishop's Chaplain. 

AY ell, worthy friend, 
AYhat saith His Grace ? 

CHAPLAIN. 

Good Hermit, come this way. 
His Grace hath wrapped him hastily in his gown 
And said his hours, and waits thee in his closet. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 1 1 

He's favourably minded and he saith 

He knows not if thy mission be divine, 

But were it human only, he were loth 

To let good words be lost. Please yon, this way. 

[Exeunt. 

SCEXE II. 
A Street — A Religious Procession crosses the Stage, 
chanting a " Gratias agimus" and carrying a Shrine 
with the true and entire head of St. Denys, accompanied 
by a throng of citizens. 

FIKST CITIZEN. 

Well, for this mercy of mercies God be praised ! 
And if His Gracious Majesty would please 
To walk abroad, should not his eyes behold 
The loving'st truly and the joyfullest city 
That earth can show. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

I never saw the like ; 
'Tis as a town for many a month besieged 
When now the siege is raised and food and wine 
Come in by cart-loads. Seemed we not before 
Half starved, and now half tipsy ? 



12 ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act i. 

THIRD CITIZEN. 

Starved we were 
And starved we are ; but foul befall the wretch, 
If such there be, who would not feed for life 
On husks and draff, if so it might please God 
To keep the King in health. 

WOMAN. 

Bless him for ever ! 
When he was well not one so mean among us 
But he could spare a smile to make her happy. 
Bless his sweet gracious kingly face ! I saw him 
Sitting at mass so comely and so holy ! 
But Lord, Sirs, he was ghostly pale. 

PRIEST. 

Poor soul ! 
What has he suffered ! Xever king but David 
Was so tormented; yea, the sorrows of Hell 
Gat hold of him. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

Alas, and may again ! 

THIRD CITIZEN, 

Mercy forbid ! 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 13 

PEIEST. 

St. Clement's Eve draws near ; 
'Twixt this and then watch ye and pray. Ye know 
The ancient verse writ with a raven's quill, 
Which threatens at that hour the House of Valois. 
'Tis thus it runs : 

" When fourteen hundred years and seven 
" Save slid since Jesus came from Heaven, 
" Fates and Furies join to weave 
" A garland for St. Clement's Eve. 
" Souse of Valois, hold thine own ! 
" A shadow sits upon a throne. 
" Ware ivhat is and is to he, 
" There's blood upon the Fleur-de-Lys" 
Watch ye, and fast, and pray. 

THIKD CITIZEN. 

Yes, father, yes; 
And ever 'tis my prayer that God would please 
To point a finger at those sorcerers 
That work the King this ill. Give us to know 
What men they be, we'd slice them into gobbets 
And fling their flesh to the dogs. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

Look, who comes here ; 



14 ST. CLEMENT S EVE. [act i. 

Surely the wise and worthy monks from Eu, 
Who come to search it out, and with them one 
That's sore suspected, Passac, the King's barber. 

\_Enter from the side at ivhich the procession had 
passed out Father Buvulan and Father 
Betizac, followed by two Marshalsmen with 
Passac in custody, and a tlirong of Citizens 
shouting. 

, PASSAC. 

Oh hear me, Sirs, alas ye will not hear me ! 

CITIZENS. 

Where is the cart ? the cart has fallen behind : 
Stop for the cart ; no faggots here, no pitch ! 

PASSAC 

Oh hear me, Sirs : I ever loved the King, 
Yea was his very worshipper ; I hurt him ! 
I that would die to give his gracious soul 
One moment's peace. 

father buvulan. 

My friends, ye are not fools, 
Ye are not senseless blocks ; ye have your wits ; 
Ye can discern the truth. Behold this barber ; 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 15 

Look at this bag and ring. What shall be said ? 

Here's one that, being barber to the King, 

Puts me this ring into a corpse's mouth, 

(A Jew's that had been hung was Tuesday week 

For strangling Chrisom babies e'er the Priest 

Sweating with haste could reach to christen them,) 

Sticks me this ring into this corpse's mouth, 

Leaves it three days, then puts it in this bag 

Sewn with the dead man's skin and filled to the neck 

With his accursed ashes, and the bag 

Wears next his heart. What shall be said, I ask ? 

CITIZENS. 

Away to the stake — away — hale him along, 
And prod him with your lances as ye go. 

PASSAC. 

Oh, Sirs, 'tis false ; I never did such things. 
Kind, noble Sirs, believe me, for the ring 
I had it of my wife when I was courting ; 
The bag, Sirs, holds the ashes of St. Maud ; 
'Twas given me by the Abbot of Beaumanoir 
By reason I had shaven him fifteen years, 
When, times being hard, he could not pay in cash, 
And gave me this. 



16 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act i. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Truly the Father of Lies 
Sits like a weaver at his loom and weaves. 
You'll find him, Sirs, as hardy to deny 
The Eve of Pentecost, when he was seen 
At midnight in the Eue des Ursulins 
Eanging and whirling round and round the gibbet, 
Whiles the dead bodies, swinging in the wind, 
Sang " Ave Sathanas !" That too he'll deny. 

PASSAC. 

As I'm a Christian man, Sirs, it is false. 

FATHEB BETIZAC. 

I told you so ; I knew he would deny it. 

PASSAC. 

At midnight on the Eve of Pentecost 
I was at Xoctums in the Chapel Eoyal. 

SECOND CITIZEX. 

Oh monstrous liar ! I saw thee with my eyes 
Eanging and scouring round and about the gibbet 
At midnight chimes ; yea with my eyes I saw thee ; 
Thou hadst put on the body of a cur, 
A cock-tailed cur. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 17 

FATHER BET1ZAC. 

And did ye mark, my friends, 
Now as we passed the true head of St. Denys 
And playing on our easy credulous minds 
He knelt and crossed himself, marked ye I say 
How the head frowned ? 

THIRD CITIZEN. 

It did ; I saw it frown ; 
An angry frown ; I trembled like a leaf. 

PASSAC. 

'Twas at these monks it frowned and not at me. 
'Tis they that are magicians as I can prove ; 
'Tis they. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

Oh mercy on my sinful soul ! 
I ne'er knew Satan so enraged before. 
Here comes the cart ; bring him along, false hound ! 
Mark when he burns if the flames be not blue. 

CITIZENS. 

Bring him along — a faggot each — come on. 

PASSAC 

Dolts ! Idiots ! Will ye have my life ? Then take it ; 

c 



18 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act t. 

And may the curse of God and all good men 
And all the Blessed Company of Heaven 
Swallow you quick, ye blood-bespattered knaves, 
And send you seething to the bottomless pit ! 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Hoo ! grace defend us ! What ! blue flames already ! 
Look to him, Serjeants, he is dangerous ; 
So —knot his hands behind him. Up with a psalm ; 
Sing as ye go the " Deus ultionum." 

[Exeunt — the Monks last. Then enter the Bastard 
of Montargis and Eaiz de Vezelay. 

MONTARGIS. 

Ay, a good wench 1 grant you, free and merry 
Before the wind ; but luff her up and lo ! 
Crack goes the topmast, rudder fells the pilot, 
Split flies the foresail. . . . Ha ! is yonder monk. . . 
Yes by St. George it is. . . . Ho, Betizac ! 
I think he hears me. . . . Yes, a lively wench, 
And, as they all are, winning — till she's won ; 
Then comes a calm. 

DE VEZELAY. 

What ! is it even so ? 
Does Flos fall flat ? 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 19 

MONTARGIS. 

Save when she's furious. Ha ! 

Be-enter Father Betizac. 
The man I sought — a serviceable man, 
Wilt do me a good turn ? 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Your worship's slave, 
Obedient ever. In my way, my Lord ? 
Aught in my way ? 

MONTARGIS. 

In one, friend, of thy ways ; 
For thou hast two ; with roses strewn is this, 
That in like manner red — but not with roses. 
'Tis in the first I need thee ; thou hast spells, 
Potions and powders, shells and herbs and seeds, 
Gathered or mixed when Dian in eclipse 
Made Venus doubly bright. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

My Lord, I have. 
How come by 'twere not good for me to say 
Nor you to hear. But thus much I may tell ; 
When Ashtaroth and Asmodai were flung 



20 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

From heaven to earth, they harboured in a cave 
In Normandy, when spitting on the ground 
There where they spat upgrew a wondrous plant 
Whereof the leaves, powdered and mixed in wine, 
Are of that virtue they shall change the hearts 
Of twice-vowed Vestals. 

MONTAKGIS. 

Such a one is she 
Whom I would subjugate. The Northern Lights 
Shine with no softer radiance, nor frequent 
A frostier region. Lo ! a mineral spell 
Less named than known in necromantic lore 
I give thee in acquittance. 

[Gives him a^old piece. 
Send that drug. 

BETIZAC. 

'Tis yours, my Lord. 

MONTAKGIS. 

Ere night ? 

BETIZAC. 

My lord, ere night 
I'll send it you. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 21 

MONTAKGIS. 

A Cupid of mine own 
I'll send to fetch it rather. Fare thee well. 

[Exit Betizac. 

DE VEZELAY. 

How's this, Montargis ? Flos then fell not flat 
Till rose another o'er her ? 

MONTAKGIS. 

"Well, 'tis true. 

DE VEZELAY. 

Why here's a change ! like Carnival to Lent 
Done in a day. 

MONTAEGIS. 

Truly a Lenten change 
Fits not my festive spirit, nor do I look 
For forty days to fast or four or one, 
If not befriended by the friar's philter, 
I know by what ; for I am of the mind 
Of Jean de Malestroit, that scrupulous Count 
Who beat his chaplain till the good man bent 
To grant him dispensation. 



22 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

DE VEZELAY. 

Ay but Flos ; 
Is she to dance along the slippery path 
She thinks shall bring her to the house of joy 
And find herself confronted by contempt 
Even at the gates ? for was it not this night 
You were to fly together ? 

MONTAKGIS. 

'Twas to-night. 
There is a midnight service in the chapel. 
Flos and her fast friend lolande St. Eemy 
Attend it. So do I. The Erie St. Mark 
Is twenty paces distant. There should wait 
Two saddles empty and some five well filled. 
Pity it were such goodly preparation 
Should run to waste. jSTow lolande St. Eemy 
Sits on the throne of this unvalued Flos 
And so shall fill her saddle. 

DE VEZELAY. 

By consent ? 

MONTARGIS. 

The horse consents, and that's enough. Ere dawn 
We shall have reached Montlherv. On the road 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 23 

Her strength, shall fail and she shall lack support ; 
Then comes the cunning Friar's well-mixed wine, 
And all is as it should be. 

DE VEZELAY. 

For myself, 
I hold it less than loyal by a spell 
To work upon a woman. 

MONTAEGIS. 

Tut ! Eeprisals. 
She cannot by what conjuring you will 
Be more bewizarded than I'm bewitched. 
But hark you ! we must take some thought for Flos. 
No midnight freaks for her. My Lady Abbess 
Must learn that she is mischievously minded 
And lock her up. Baiz, look to this for me 
And I will hold thee my true friend for life. 
I needs must to the Council, for at three 
They meet to wrangle of the King's disease, 
And cloudy John expects me. 

DE VEZELAY. 

Be content; 
Flos shall be cared for — you shall know to-night 
With what success. 



2i ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act i. 

MONTAEGIS. 

Be diligent. Adieu. 

[Exit. 

DE YEZELAY. 

Here is a zigzag ! I arn wicked too 
In some sort, and with women ; but thus to woo 
And thus to win and thus to strike and stab, 
Exceeds my tether. Poor forsaken Flos ! 
Not all her brightness, sportfulness and bloom, 
Her sweetness and her wildness and her wit, 
Could save her from desertion. No, their loves 
Were off the poise. Her boundless flood of love 
Swept out his petty rill. Love competent 
Makes better bargains than love affluent ; 
And his was beggarly and hers was rich. 
He needs had loved her had she less loved him, 
And had I less loved her — she might — in time — 
But no she never could have stooped to me. 
I'll do his errand — not for his sake, but hers. 
No better can befall her than this night 
To ponder in retreat. Some doubtful tale 
I'll tell to waken up my Lady Abbess, 
Which, its end answered, shall belie itself 






scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 25 

And leave the damsel stainless. For her friend, 

Poor Iolande, if I can save her, so ; 

Not through the Abbess — he would smell me there — 

Some other way — J think I know another ; 

My Lord of Orleans is no friend to him 

And loves a chance adventure. He shall hear, 

And if Sir Bastard come not by a check 

I'll yield some credit to his conjurors. 

He's cruel over much. I've heard it said 

When Blanche de Honcourt lost her hold, ere long 

A body in a sack was seen afloat 

Betwixt the bridges. Such things should not be. 

[Exit. 

SCEXE III. 
The Council Chamber in the King's Palace. TJie King, 
the Dukes of Orleans and Burgundy, TJie Arch- 
bishop of Paris, and other Councillors. Officers of 
State in attendance, amongst whom are the Bastard of 
Montargis and the Provost of Paris. 

THE KING. 

My Brother, Cousin John and my good Lords, 
Much have I longed once more to meet you here, 



26 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

And much it sometimes seemed I had to say ; 

But Sirs, my voice is weak, more weak my wits, 

Being as I am new risen from the grave, 

The grave, I say, wherein my mind was buried, 

And you shall pardon me if tongue or thought 

Should falter, one or both. We meet to-day 

To reason of my illness, whence it comes 

And how to hold it off. But, Sirs, much more 

I would that ye should reason of the realm, 

Discern what ails it and divine what balm 

Shall heal its ghastly wounds. Oh, my good Lords, 

It breaks my very heart of hearts in pieces 

So often as I wake from these bad dreams, 

To find what's real worst. Apply your hearts, 

I pray you, to restore my kingdom's health, 

And then take thought for mine. 

THE AECHBISHOP. 

So please your Grace, 
Under God's providence, the kingdom's health 
Attends upon the King's, whose health and weal 
Are as the fountain-head whence all the land 
Is watered ; 'tis in you your kingdom finds 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 27 

All aid and increase, even as the Psalmist saith, 
" All my fresh springs in thee." 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

And therefore first 
Behoves us reason of the first, and ask 
Who and what are they that with devilish art 
Poison the wells and fountain-head of France ; 
And there be now arrived from Xormandy 
Two wise and worthy monks, vouched by Sanxerre, 
Your Majesty's true liege and faithful friend, 
For men of marvellous aptness to rip up 
The works of witchcraft. He avers, my Lords, 
The province hath been purged the last ten years 
Of wizards to the number of threescore, 
And twice so many witches, which is due 
Most chiefly to their skill and diligence. 
I hold it were no wisdom to forego 
Such aid as theirs. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

One word, my Lords, to that. 
What know we of these monks or of their art ? 
Save only that Sanxerre (whom God forbid 



28 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE, [act i. 

That I should blame, for he is wise and true) 

Gives credence to their skill. But wisdom errs 

In nought more oft than putting easy trust 

In tales when things are dark. For man is loth 

In argument where grounded thought is none 

And yet the theme solicitous, to fold 

The wings of thought and drop its lids and own 

That in a night of knowledge to roost and sleep 

Is judgment's sole sagacity. Thus he 

That justly should have balanced 'twixt two weights 

Substantial both though diverse in degree 

Of credibility, shall lose himself, 

Intent on vacancy, in snatching shadows 

And pondering of imponderable motes. 

I say, Sirs, we know nothing of these monks, 

Nor of their art. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDT. 

Good cousin, by St. George 
Eumour hath wronged thee much if of some arts 
Thou know'st not more than most. What's that I see 
Circling thy left forefinger ? Jean de Bar, 
Were he alive, could tell us of a work 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 29 

Wrought on a golden ring which bore enchased 
The royal arms of France. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

And though he's dead, 
Mayhap, fair cousin, you shall see him somewhere. 
And that ere long, seeing the merry pace 
You travel on that broad and trodden way 
That leads to his abode. Sirs, Jean de Bar, 
Who, as ye know, made traffic of my youth 
And coined my ignorance, a just death died. 
I wish his peers no other. By his aid 
(Not gifted with that affable accost 
And personal grace which bids my cousin trust 
In his own prowess — conquering and to conquer) 
I hoped to triumph in affairs of love. 
He promised too to call me up the Devil, 
Whom (not content with some I daily met 
Of aspect diabolic) I craved to see. 
These follies of my green unguided youth 
Were rendered to the flames with Jean de Bar. 
Still of the art itself I spare to speak, 
Delating but, in quality of witness, 



30 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act i. 

The ail's practitioners as I have known them ; 
For whatsoe'er they feigned, I plainly saw 
The Devil had power on thern, not they on him. 
But whether a veritable power there be 
By cryptic art and more than natural mean 
To exorcise, or if not exorcise, 
Divine whence comes possession, not to me 
Pertaineth to pronounce, but more to him 
Who sits amongst us spiritually raised 
To speak of spirits with authentic voice. 
What saith my Lord Archbishop ? 

THE ABCHBISHOP. 

Sirs, 'tis true, 
As by His Grace of Orleans is averred 
Most wisely, that that function of the Church 
Which deals with evil spirits is usurped, 
And specially since of late the sword of schism 
Hath pierced her very vitals (God forgive 
The unspeakably abominable thieves 
That thus have rent Christ's garment for a spoil) — 
Since then, I say, this function is usurped 
By some of ill repute ; such we disown ; 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 31 

But to deny that incantation used 

In sacred sort, with ardours apostolic, 

Can cast out Devils, ay and the Prince of Devils, 

Were to gainsay what Holy Scripture proves 

Not less than daily fact. Sirs, for these monks, 

They should be holy men, but that they are 

I may not certify ; for from their abbot's 

Nor other hand ecclesiastical 

Have they credentials. 

DUKE OF OBLEANS. 

They have none from Nature ; 
Ne'er did I see in church or camp or court — 
I will not say men like them (for in my time 
I have seen visages as villainous 
As any Normandy can send to scare us) — 
But men of visage more detestable 
I ne'er saw yet — more cruel-eyed, or men 
Whose outside of their inside told a tale 
More foul and loathsome. On the brow of each 
Writ by kind Providence that watcheth o'er us, 
I read the word " Beware !" 



32 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

'Twere well, fair cousin, 
Bead where you may that word in books or men, 
'Twere read to better purpose. 

THE ARCHBISHOP. 

My Lords, these monks 
I cannot to your confidence commend. 
But there is one without attends your pleasure, 
A man of life religions and severe, 
Both gently born and well and widely known, 
Who, might it please your gracious Majesty, 
Was in a vision with a message charged 
To be delivered in your royal presence, 
Nor otherwise divulged. "With, your kind leave 
The Provost shall conduct him in. 

THE KING. 

At once. 
To pious men our ears are open ever. 
We'll hear this message. What ma} 7 be his name 
That brings it ? 

[Exit the Provost. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 33 

ARCHBISHOP. 

May it please your Majesty 
'Tis Menuot, but in the popular mouth 
Robert the Hermit. He is strangely clad 
For such a presence, but his vows forbid 
A garb more seemly. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Let his vow be kept. 
What is it that he wears ? A wild cat's skin, 
To signify he dreams by day ? 

Re-enter the Provost with Robert the Hermit. 

God's love ! 
Was wild cat e'er so wild ? 

THE KING. 

Good sir, His Grace 
My Lord Archbishop, tells us thou art charged 
Some message to make known. Kise then and 
speak. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

King and my gracious Sovereign, unto whom 
I bend the knee as one ordained of God, 

D 



34 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

A message hath been given nie, and I am bid 

To tell thee in what sort. St. Jerome's Day, 

My vows performed, I sailed from Palestine, 

With favouring winds at first ; but the tenth night 

A storm arose and darkness was around 

And fear and trembling and the face of death. 

Six hours I knelt in prayer, and with the seventh 

A light was flashed upon the raging sea, 

And in the raging sea a space appeared 

Flat as a lake, where lay outstretched and white 

A woman's body ; thereupon were perched 

Two birds, a falcon and a kite, whose heads 

Bore each a crown, and each had bloody beaks, 

And blood was on the claws of each, which clasped 

This the right breast and that the left, and each 

Fought with the other, nor for that they ceased 

To tear the body. Then there came a ciy 

Piercing the storm — " AVoe, woe for France, woe, 

woe ! 
Thy mother France, how excellently fair 
And in how foul a clutch !" Then silence ; then 
" Eobert of Menuot, thou shalt surely live, 
For God hath work to give thee ; be of good cheer ; 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 35 

Kail thou two planks in figure of a cross, 

And lash thee to that cross and leap, and lo ! 

Thou shalt be cast upon the coast of France ; 

Then take thy way to Paris ; on the road, 

See, hear, and when thou com'st to Paris, speak." 

" To whom?" quoth I. Was answer made, " The King." 

I questioned, " What ?" " That thou shalt see, declare, 

And what God puts it in thy heart to speak 

That at the peril of thy soul deliver." 

Then leaped I in the sea lashed to a cross 

And drifting half a day I came to shore 

At Sigean on the coast of Languedoc, 

And parting thence barefooted journeyed hither 

For forty days save one, and on the road 

I saw and heard, and I am here to speak. 

THE KING. 

Good Hermit, by God's mercy we are spared 
To hear thee, and not only with our ears 
But with our mind. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

If there be no offence. 
But take thou heed to that. 



36 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act i. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

What God cormnands, 
How smacks it of offence ? But dire offence 
There were if fear of Man should choke God's word. 
I heard and saw, and I am here to speak. 
Xigh forty days I sped from town to town, 
Hamlet to hamlet and from grange to grange, 
And wheresoe'er I set my foot, behold ! 
The foot of war had been before, and there 
Did nothing grow, and in the fruitless fields 
Whence ruffian hands had snatched the beasts of 

draft 
Women and children to the plough were yoked ; 
The very sheep had learnt the ways of war, 
And soon as from the citadel rang out 
The larum-peal, flocked to the city gates ; 
And tilth was none by day, for none durst forth, 
But wronging the night season which God gave 
To minister sweet forgetfulness and rest, 
Was labour and a spur. I journeyed on, 
And near a burning village in a wood 
Were huddled 'neath a drift of bloodstained snow 
The houseless villagers : I journeyed on, 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 37 

And as I passed a convent, at the gate 

Were famished peasants, hustling each the other, 

Half fed by famished nuns : I journeyed on, 

And 'twixt a hamlet and a church the road 

Was black with biers, for famine-fever raged : 

I journeyed on— a trumpet's brazen clang 

Died in the distance ; at my side I heard 

A child's weak wail that on its mother's breast 

Drooped its thin face and died ; then pealed to 

heaven 
The mother's funeral cry, " My child is dead 
For lack of food ; he hungered unto death ; 
A soldier ate his food, and what was left 
He trampled in the mire ; my child is dead ! 
Hear me, oh God ! a soldier killed my child ! 
See to that soldier's quittance — blood for blood ! 
Visit him, God, with thy divine revenge !" 
The woman ceased ; but voices in the air, 
Yea and in me a thousand voices cried, 
" Visit him, God, with thy divine revenge !" 
Then they too ceased, and sterner still the Voice 
Slow and sepulchral that the word took up — 
" Him, God, but not him only, nor him most ; 



38 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

Look Thou to them that breed the men of blood, 
That breed and feed the murderers of the realm. 
Look Thou to them that, hither and thither tost 
Betwixt their quarrels and their pleasures, laugh 
At torments that they taste not ; bid them learn 
That there be torments terribler than these 
Whereof it is Thy will that they shall taste, 
So they repent not, in the belly of Hell." 
So spake the Voice ; then thunder shook the wood, 
And lightning smote and splintered two tall trees 
That towered above the rest, the one a pine, 
An ash the other. Then I knew the doom 
Of those accursed men who sport with war 
And tear the body of their mother, France. 
Trembling though guiltless did I hear that doom, 
Trembling though guiltless I ; for them I quaked 
Of whom it spake ; oh Princes, tremble ye, 
For ye are they ! Oh, hearken to that Voice ! 
Oh cruel, cruel, cruel Princes, hear ! 
For ye are they that tear your mother's flesh ; 
Oh, flee the wrath to come ! Eepent and live ! 
Else know your doom, which God declares through 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 39 

Perdition and the pit hereafter ; here 
Short life and shameful death. 

[Exit. 

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Ho, ho ! My Lords, 
What say ye to my Lord Archbishop's friend ? 
A prophet or a railer ? Nay, Sirs, speak ; 
Or have dumb devils entered you ? 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

My Lords, 
I with His Grace of Burgundy my cousin 
Stand equally denounced ; yet deem I not 
That holy man a railer. To my ears 
He spake disastrous truth, and from my soul 
Sore wearied with the burthen of its sins, 
I grieve for what is past, and pray that God, 
Whose goodness and whose multitude of mercies 
I rankly have abused, will give me strength 
By works of penitence to rescue France, 
War- wasted France my mother, and as a brand 
Plucked from the burning, her unworthiest son. 
And Cousin of Burgundy, for all words and deeds 



40 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act i. 

Of this and other days that did thee wrong 
I humbly crave forgiveness, first of God, 
And next of thee ; and in the Celestines 
In token of contrition will I found 
Two daily masses for thy father's soul. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDY. 

Gramercy, my good Cousin, by St. George 

I bear no malice, I, nor ever did. 

Here is my hand ; I swear from this time forth 

I'll love thee as myself, yea heartily ; 

And to thine enemies I hold my sword 

As counter as to mine. And now, my Lords, 

To business. For these Augustinian Monks 

Are they at hand ? 

MONTABGIS. 

My Lord, they were not summoned. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Not summoned ? 

PEOVOST. 

But they are not far to seek ; 
For in the Eue des Ursulins but now 
I met them, with a rabble that reared a stake, 



scene ill.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 41 

And in their hands one Passac, at his prayers 
Waiting to be confessed. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

What! Passac? No! 
My good friend Passac ! He to burn ! God's death ! 
Attendance there ! I'll see to that myself. 

[Exit 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY, 

Send for these Monks. 

THE KING. 

Good Cousin, no, not now. 
My head is weak ; I may not tax it more. 
My Lords, pray pardon me ; another day 
I'll ask your further aid. The Monks can then 
Be brought before you. This day's conference 
May well content us, since it heals the strife 
Betwixt our two chief councillors and friends ; 
And more to their accord I bid you look 
Than the frail hope of strength renewed in me 
To give the kingdom peace. Sirs, fare ye well. 

[Exeunt. 

END OF THE FIRST ACT. 



42 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act ii. 



ACT II. 

SCENE I. 

The Banqueting Boom in the Balace of the Duke 
of Orleans. Tables spread. A company are as- 
sembled, amongst whom are Henri de Vierzon, 
Rene D'Aicelin, Enguerrand de Chevreuse, Lore 
de Cassinel, Alain Thibaut, Eustace D'Estivet 
(the Duke's Minstrel), and Gris-Nez (the Duke's 
Fool). To whom enters the Duke's Seneschal. 

THE SENESCHAL. 

His Highness bids you to sit down and sup ; 
He will be with you later. 

DE VIERZON. 

As lie will. 
What round white arms withhold him ? 

THE SENESCHAL. 

Out, De Vierzon ; 
No damsel is it, but a devotee. 




scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 43 

DE VIERZON. 

That pretty Theologue De Kicarville 

Is both in one. I drink her health and his. 

Stay them with flagons, comfort them with apples ! 

THE SENESCHAL. 

Kobert the Hermit 'tis, I tell thee. 

DE VIERZON. 

So! 
Then Cupid's case is desperate for a day. 
What think ye of this pact betwixt the Dukes ? 
Shall it endure ? 

d'aicelin. 
Till death. But how soon death, 
Under the countenance of dear Cousin John, 
May enter to dissolve it, who can tell ? 
To-day they rode together on one horse, 
Each in the other's livery. To-morrow 
They are to sleep together in one Led. 
The People stare and deem the day is nigh 
When lamb and lion shall lie down together. 

DE CHEVREUSE. 

Eode on one horse ! 



44 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act ii 

d'aicelin. 

Yea, Orleans before, 
And Burgundy behind. 

GRIS-NEZ. 

'Twas so they rode : 
Two witches on one broomstick rode beside them ; 
But riding past an image of Our Lady 
The hindmost snorted and the broomstick brake. 

DE CASSINEL. 

Would T were sure my gout would be as brief 
As their good fellowship. 

DE VIERZON. 

To see grim John 
Do his endeavour at a gracious smile, 
Was worth a ducat ; with his trenchant teeth 
Clinched like a rat-trap. 

DE CASSINEL. 

Ever and anon 
They opened to let forth a troop of words 
Scented and gilt, a company of masques 
Stiff with brocade, and each a pot in hand 
Filled with wasp's honey. 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 45 

d'aicelin. 

Nay, no more of him ; 
The wine turns sour. Come, Eustace, wake thee up ! 
Hast ne'er a song to sing us ? Kose and Blanche 
And Florence dTvry with her deep-mouthed eyes. 
And merry Marriette, — where are they gone, 
The score of maids that made thee musical 
In days of old ? or if their date be out 
Have none succeeded ? 

d'estivet. 

Ah ! my youth ! my youth ! 
Gone like a dream, and now at twenty-eight 
I live on recollections. No, my songs 
Have had their day ; the charms I sang are fled ; 
The ears I charmed are deafened in the dust. 
What would ye with my ditties ? But there's one 
His Highness made, which, if I mar it not, 
Should find its way. 

d'aicelin. 

Be still, De Vierzon ; hush ! 



46 



ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 



[ACT II. 



Eustace d'Estivet sings to a lute. 

1. 

At peep of day, at peep of day, 

Day peeped to spy what night had done, 

And there she lay and there she lay 

Blushing in the morning grey 
And hiding from the Sun. 

2. 
Arise, arise, Aurora cries, 

My dainty sister sweet, and throws 
With frolic grace and looks that speak 
Of love and gladness, at her cheek 

A dew-besprinkled rose. 

d'aicelin. 
Minstrel, well sung, and well conceited, Duke ; 
What is this whispering, Lore ? 

DE CASSIKEL. 

Shall I tell? 
De Vierzon's by an envious Abbess charged 
That through the convent-grate he kissed a Nun, 
W 7 hereon the Court Ecclesiastical 
Puts forth a process ; this that he may answer 
To-morrow noon, he fain would have me swear 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 47 

I saw him in St. Michael's on his knees 
That very hour the Abbess of St. Loo 
Swears to the kiss. 

d'aicelin. 
And didst thou kiss the Nun ? 

DE VIEEZON. 

I may have kissed a linnet in a cage, 
But as to Nuns, oh no. 

d'aicelin. 

Come, I'll bestead thee ; 
As for myself, I have an errand then 
At Chateau-Menil ; but I'll send my page 
With orders to swear what thou wilt. 

DE VIEEZON. 

Much thanks, 
He shall not be the loser. 

GEIS-NEZ. 

Ah, sweet Sir, 
Had you been pleased to come to me for counsel 
Before you kissed that Nun ! 

DE VIEEZON. 

What then, Sir Fool ? 



48 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act ii. 

GKIS-NEZ. 

Knoivest thou not, Sir Fool my brother, 
One dirty hand can ivash another ; 
Oftimes offences that are twins 
Shall suffer less than single sins ; 
Stern forfeits tread upon his kibe 
Who hath not robbed enough to bribe ; 
To distance justice in the course 
Who steals a purse should steal a horse ; 
Not hardly the offender fares 
When Accusation hath gone shares ; 
Beceive thou then, dear brother Fool, 
Monition wise from Folly's School, 
To hiss a Nun nor fear the worst 
Thou should' st have hissed the Abbess first. 

DE CASSLNEL. 

By Peter's keys ! to moralize a kiss 
No preaching have I heard more pertinent. 
Here comes the Duke — no, 'tis but little Geoffrey. 
Enter Geoffkey de Laval. 

GEOFFKEY. 

His Grace desires you'll none of you depart 
Till he shall join you. 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 49 

DE VIEKZON. 

With such wine as this 
To wet our wings, no thoughts have we of flight. 
Is the lean Hermit with His Highness still ? 

GEOFFREY. 

No, he is gone ; 'tis Vezelay that's with him. 

DE VIERZON. 

Thou dost not say so ! Well, the times are strange ; 

To the backbone Burgundian is he, 

And private with the Duke ! What next ? 

DE CHEVREUSE. 

Why next — 

[Enter the Duke of Orleans. They rise to 
receive him. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Kind Sirs, I pray you pardon this neglect ; 
Scant courtesy it was not, but strict need. 
I drink your healths. No, Seneschal, gramercy ; 
I'll neither eat nor sit. My trusty friends, 
I have a work in hand will ask your aid. 
The Bastard of Montargis, as I hear, 

E 



50 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act it. 

Designs this night to seize and spirit away 

A pupil of the Celestines ; which rape 

I would not such a rotten-hearted rogue 

As he is, should accomplish ; wherefore, Sirs, 

Of live of you I crave attendance here 

An hour ere midnight armed. 

DE VIEKZON. 

Your Grace has named 
A service I shall clasp and strain to heart 
Even as my best friend's wife. 

DE CHEVKETTSE. 

And so shall I. 

DE CASSINEL. 

And all. 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

I thank you heartily, but no ; 
Montargis is attended but by five, 
Which we must not outnumber. Hie ye home 
De Vierzon and De Cassinel, and you 
Bene d'Aicelin, Enguerrand De Chevreuse 
x\nd Alain Thibaut ; hie ye home and arm, 
And hither hasten back at your best speed. 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 51 

The rest, good night. And be ye sure, my friends, 
For right good service your good wills shall count. 
[Exeunt all but the Duke and G-eoffbey de Laval. 

GEOFFREY. 

A boon, my gracious Lord. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

What is it, boy ? 

GEOFFREY. 

Let me be one. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

No, no ; too young, too young. 
They'd blow thy head off like the froth of their ale, 
And I should lose a monkey that I love. 

GEOFFREY. 

My gracious Master, at your side to die 
Is all I live for. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Be content, young friend. 
The time may come. Thy horoscope and mine 



52 



ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 



[act II. 



Point to one hour 'tis said. Enough of this. 
Go to the vestiary, wherein thou'lt find 
Provision of all garbs for the masqned ball. 
Thence to the hall bring thou six pilgrims' habits. 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE II. 
TJie Interior of the Convent of the Celestines. 

Iolande de St. Bemy and Flos de Flavy. 

FLOS. 

A charming little Abbess if you will ; 

That liberty she grants herself, good soul, 

She not denies to others ; so far, well ; 

But then comes Father Eenault, lean and dry, 

Much threatening her with the Bishop and the Chapter, 

And in her straits we're straitened. Oh, no, no, 

I cannot bear it ; some day I shall run, 

Yes, Iolande, I will— some day. 

IOLANDE. 

Oh Flos ! 
Oh foolish Flos ! impatient of restraint 
Because you scarce have felt it. The loose rein 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 53 

It is that makes the runaway ; too kind 
The Abbess is ; for those who say she errs 
In other ways and worse, God pardon them ! 
Or if their tale be true, God pardon her ! 
But God forbid that I should know it true, 
For love her I needs must. 

FLOS. 

What ! though she's wicked ? 

IOLANDE. 

Yes, though she's wicked. That is not forbidden. ' 
In pain and sorrow should I love her then, 
As I love you. 

FLOS. 

Oh, I am wicked too ? 

IOLANDE. 

No, there I said too much. But yet with fear, 
If not with pain you fill me. Flos, from my soul, 
I hate the man you love. 

FLOS. 

"Well, you speak out ; 
But ere you spake I knew it. 



54 ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act 11. 

IOLAKDE. 

Did you but know 
The cause ! — and I will tell you it in part. 
Last night I had a dreadful dream. I thought 
That borne at sunrise on a fleece of cloud 
I floated high in air, and looking down 
Beheld an ocean-bay girt by green hills, 
And in a million wavelets tipped with gold 
Leapt the soft pulses of the sunlit sea. 
And lightly from the shore a bounding bark, 
Festive with streamers fluttering in the wind 
Sailed seaward, and the palpitating waves 
Fondly like spaniels flung themselves upon her, 
Eecoiling and returning in their joy. 
And on her deck sea-spirits I descried 
Gliding and lapsing in an undulant dance, 
From whom a choral gratulating strain 
Exhaled its witcheries on the wanton air. 
Still sailed she seaward, and ere long the bay 
Was left behind ; but then a shadow fell 
Upon the outer sea — a shadowy shape — 
The shadow bore the likeness of the form 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 55 

Of the Arch-fiend. I shuddered for the bark, 
And stretched my hands to heaven, and strove to pray, 
But could not for much fear. The shadow grew 
Till sea and sky were black ; the bark plunged on 
And clove the blackness ; then the fleece of cloud 
That bore me, melted, and I fell and fell, 
And falling I awoke. 

FLOS. 

Yes, Iolande, 
You're ever dreaming dreams, and when they're bad 
They're always about me, I too can dream, 
But otherwise than you. The god of dreams 
Who sleeps with me is blithe and debonnaire, 
Else should he not be partner of my bed. 
I dreamt I was a cat, and much caressed, 
And fed with dainty viands ; there was cream 
And fish, and flesh, and porridge, but no mice ; 
And I was fat and sleek, but in my heart 
There rose a long and melancholy mew 
Which meant, " I must have mice ;" and therewithal 
I found myself transported to the hall 
Of an old castle, with the rapturous sound 
Of gnawing of old wainscot in my ears ; 



56 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act ii. 

"With tliat I couched and sprang and sprang and 

couched, 
My soul rejoicing. 



IOLANDE. 

May God grant, dear Flos, 
Your mice shall not prove bloodhounds. That the 

veil 
Befits you not, I own ; nor if you long 
In secular sort to love and be beloved, 
Shall I reproach you ; for if God denies 
The blessing of a heart espoused to Him, 
His mercy wills that love should be fulfilled 
In other kind, less pure but still divine, 
Less happy but still rapt ; and to this end 
In his own image he created Man. 
The love for man I blame not ; but oh Flos ! 
There are, though you may miss to see it, men 
Who have transformed God's image in themselves 
Into another likeness. 






FLOS. 

Iolande, 
You hate him ; you have said so — 'tis enough. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 57 

I love him ; yes, and may my false heart perish 

That instant that it leaves to love as now. 

And if I thought this heart would so revolt, 

Or ere one sun had risen upon its shame, 

It should be buried without toll of bell 

Six fathom in the earth, and o'er its grave 

How it came there a lettered stone should tell, 

And how it was a heart that, having fallen, 

Would rather rot below ground than above. 

Oh, take your arms away — you shall not kiss me — 

Sweet Iolande, I know you wish me well, 

But is it wishing well to wish me false ? 

IOLANDE. 

Not if your truth were plighted to the true. 

FLOS. 

Whate'er his treasons he is true to me, 
True as the lion that laid down its head 
O'erswayed by love divine on Lectra's lap. 

IOLANDE. 

Deceived past rescue ! Were it Vezelay, 
He is not good, but I believe him true, 



58 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act it. 

Know him but too devoted in his love ; 
Were it but he ! 

FLOS. 

More kind is he than good, 
Poor mortal ! Yet I love his love for me. 
And him some little. 

Enter the Lady Abbess. 

THE LADY ABBESS. 

AY ell, my daughters dear, 
The Lord is good and gracious to this House ; 
So is His Grace the Founder. Have ye heard ? 
He grants two masses daily for the soul 
Of good Duke Philip, whom may God absolve ! 
Truly His Grace's bounty knows no end, 
Such holy love he hath for this poor House. 

FLOS. 

Likewise its charming Abbess. 

THE LADY ABBESS. 

Xaughty child ! 
No more of that. Hark ye ! the bell for N octurns. 
Go, Iolande. For Flos, she stays with me, 
For I am ill and she a cheerful nurse. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 59 

Mercy ! such shootings in my back ! Oh me ! 
And such a shaking here ! And then such qualms ! 
And here a gurgling up ! By God's good help, 
St. Bartlemy assisting, I have hope 
To struggle through the night — but not alone. 
Come Flos, we'll sleep together. Bless my heart ! 
Why Flos is stricken too ! How pale she looks ! 
This frost will be the death of some poor souls ; 
The Marne is frozen over. Come, sweet Flos. 

[Exeunt . 



SCENE III. 

The Bue Barbette, near the Porch of the Chapel of the 
Celestines. Eaoul de Kouvroy, Kanulph de Eoche- 
Baron, Henri de Fontenay, Antoine des Essars, 
and Charles de Savoisy, all armed. 

PIERRE DE FONTENAY. 

What if she screams ? 

RAOUL DE ROUVROY. 

Tell her the night is cold, 
And kindly tie a muffler o'er her mouth. 



60 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act ii. 

PIERRE DE FONTENAY. 

What if the Sisterhood scream all together ? 

RAOUL DE ROUVROY. 

Kun for your lives ; but if ye do it deftly 
The Sisters will have passed within the walls 
Ere ye shall scare them. Pupillage walks last. 

CHARLES DE SAVOISY. 

But say the night-patrol should come this way. 

RAOUL DE ROUVROY. 

Then shall some two or three of you fall back 
And seem to fight; be desperate and loud, 
And whilst the watch is busy with your brawl, 
Montargis and his maid will mount and fly. 
If need be, set a house or two on fire, 
And shout amain for help. 

Enter Montargis from the Chapel. 

MONTARGIS. 

Down with your vizors. 
God's curse upon that Priest and his discourse ! 
When tenthly came, and twelfthly, and fifteenthly, 
I could have stabbed him. Strangers too were there. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 61 

Pilgrims — what not ? who may be meddlesome 
Unless discretion guide them. If they be 
They'll rue it. Banulph, are the bye-ways void ? 
No stragglers ? 

ANTOINE DES ESSARS. 

Eight, Montargis ; say a cat's grace 
That ever looks about her ere she eats. 

MONTARGIS. 

Back, back, I say ; stand back ; I think they come. 

[Enter from the Chapel the Nuns, preceded by 
the Priests and followed by the Novices, after 
whom come the Duke of Orleans, Henri de 
Vierzon, Bene d'Aicelin, Enguerrand de 
Chevreuse, Lore de Cassinel, and Alain 
Thibaut, in Pilgrims' weeds. The Priests and 
Nuns pass through the gates into the court of the 
Convent, lohereupon Montargis advances. 

MONTARGIS. 

My lady-love, thou enterest not ; be wise ; 
Despairing love dares all. Thou must be mine 
And mine thou art. 



62 



ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 



[ACT II. 



IOLANDE. 

Thine ! Wretch, beyond all count 
The loathsomest that I know, I know thee well, 
And hate thee and defy thee, 

MONTARGIS. 

Nay, wild bird, 
We'll teach thee sweeter singing. 



IOLANDE, 



Touch not me ! 



MONTARGIS. 

With softer touches shall I touch thee soon ; 
These rougher for this present thou must brook. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

First turn and touch another. 

MONTARGIS. 

Who art thou 
That hold'st thy life so lightly ? Beggar, back ! 
Get hence ! or if thou hungerest after death 
Pass forward but a step. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

There is my foot. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 63 

MONTARGIS. 

And there thy death. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Well aimed against well armed. 
Now, thy best ward. 

[TJiey fight. The other Burgundians come to the 
aid of Montargis, and are engaged by the 
Orleanists ; Mont aegis is wounded and dis- 
armed. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

So ! yield thee, Bastard. 

MONTARGIS. 

Ha ! thou knowest me ? Well ; 
If to a Knight, I yield. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

A Knight and more. 

MONTARGIS. 

Say'st thou " and more ?" 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

More, by St. Paul ! 



64 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act ii. 

MONT AEGIS. 

My Lord 
That voice and oath chiming together thus 
Tell forth your title to respect I yield. 
My friends, put up your swords. My own lies there. 
We will withdraw, if so the victor wills. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

Go, and be wiser. Keep your counsel. I, 
For his sake who befriends, shall not betray you. 

[Exeunt Montaegis and Ms friends. 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

Unbar the gate. 

DE VIEEZON. 

'Tis fast within. Holla ! 
Within there ! Ho ! Unbolt the gate. 

THE POETEE (wffllin). 

Get hence, 
Ye graceless knaves, get hence ! 

DE VIEEZON. 

Unbolt the gate ; 
Here is a maiden of your House hath swooned. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 65 

THE PORTER. 

So hath the general Sisterhood. Get hence, 
Lewd villains that ye are ! 

DE VIERZON. 

Out, Thickskull, out ! 

duke of Orleans {supporting lolande). 
Frightened to death I hastily had thought, 
But ne'er did womanish fear put on a face 
Of such celestial sovereignty as this. 
Bather the motions of the bodily life 
O'ermastered by the passion of her scorn. 
Open that gate. 

DE VIERZON. 

'Tis easy said, rriy Lord ; 
But here's a Lack-brain keeps it barred. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Then stave it. 
How fare you, lady ? 

IOLANDE. 

Well, I thank you, well ; 
Though dumb when fain a grateful heart would speak 

F 



66 



ST. CLEMENT' S EYE. 



[ACT II. 



As with a thousand tongues, and fill the world 
TVith thanks and praise ; but there is God to aid, 
Who pays all dues. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS t 

Sweet lady, when God grants 
That praise from such a mouth ennobles me 
He showers His choicest blessing. They within 
Must pardon us some violence, for else, 
Through error of their fear, this sturdy gate 
Should have repulsed its own. 

IOLAKDE. 

Brave Sirs, farewell ! 
And though 'tis little that poor Xuns can do 
To show their sense of service, there is one 
As great in power as heart, the princely Duke 
Our founder, who will value at its worth 
A service to the Celestines. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

My friends, 
I wish you joy ; and with this lady's leave 
I'll wait on her to-morrow, so to learn 
What guerdon ye may look for. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 67 

IOLANDE. 

Heartily 
The Lad j Abbess and myself wall strive 
To .do yon grace and honour. Pray you, Sirs, 
Stay by the gate till I shall cross the court, 
For all have fled indoors and it is empty. 

[Exit. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

Now to our beds. Sirs, what she said I swear ; 

A service to the Celestines I prize 

At a knight's fee to each. To bed, to bed, 

To dream of such a voice as in my ears 

Sounds like a Seraph's in a song of praise. 

Enter the Watch. 

SEKGEANT OF THE WATCH. 

Haro ! Haro ! What's here ! Stand, villains, stand ! 
Clashings of swords and screamings for the Watch ! 
How dare ye ! To the guard-honse every man. 

DE VIEKZON. 

Nay, we were keepers of the law, not breakers ; 
We fought with certain caitiffs who were fain 



68 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act ii. sc. hi. 

To ravish away a maiden ; her we rescued ; 
For them, they slank away. 

SERGEANT. 

Fie ! tell not me ! 
We'll have no ravishings nor no rescues here ; 
No ravishings nor rescues can be suffered 
After the Watch is set. To the guard-house, come. 
If maidens shall be ravished and be rescued 
It is the Watch must do it. Come, ye rogues. 

DE VIERZON. 

Stand off, old Owlet. 

THE SERGEANT. 

What ! the manacles ! Ho ! 

d'arcelin. 
Away, ye Clot-pole-catchpoles ! Hence, away ! 

[Exeunt the Duke and his friends driving out the 
Watch. 



END of the second act. 



act. in. sc. i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. 69 



ACT III. 

SCENE L 

Tlie Court of the House of the Bastard of Montaegis. 
The Bastard of Montaegis and his two Squires, Eaoul 
de Bouyroy and Kanulph de Koche-Baron. 

montargis. 
The house I speak of bears above the porch 
An image of our Lady ; old and battered 
Are house and image both ; none dwells within 
Save a bald porter, old and battered too. 
Let his old ears inform him I have need 
To store some wine that comes to me from Bourg, 
And hire the house ; give him whate'er he asks ; 
Then cask these weapons that I tell you of 
And take them thither. On this roll is writ 
The names of certain of my men at arms ; 
Call them together ; hold them on the wing, 
And after nightfall drop them one by one 



I 



70 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

Into that house. Then keep them fast and close, 
And till I come, — mayhap to-morrow night, 
Early or late, — -let no man pass the door. 
Be secret, ye and they. 

[Exit. 

KOCHE-BARON. 

What may this mean ? 

ROUVROY. 

Mischief it means if I have ears. To-morrow 

Will be St. Clement's Eve. The Bastard walks 

In the world's eye untroubled, but in heart 

He bears his Monday night's discomfiture 

As new- caged tigers bear captivity. 

Some bird hath whistled that the booty wrenched 

From him, has fallen to that crowing Duke, 

Whom if he hated humanly before 

He hates with hatred more than human now. 

With that he broods upon a prophecy 

Which babbles of St. Clement's Eve, and tells 

How that the gutters shall run blood that night, 

And lilies redden in the morning sun. 

There is an ancient picture too, wherein 



■ 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 71 

St. Clement, with the anchor round his neck, 

Sinks and draws with him underneath the wave 

A knotted staff twined with the Fleur de Lys, 

And holding on its point a porcupine 

Enscrolled with * Far and Near,' the Duke's device ; 

And heartened by these figurings and signs 

He holds the time auspicious. 

ROCHE-BARON. 

But Duke John — 
Him must we carry with us ; without him 
I hardly deem St. Clement will suffice 
To hold us harmless. True, revenge is sweet, 
And neither thou nor I have cause to love 
His Grace of Orleans ; but revenge were mad 
Without the one Duke's warrant and support 
In case of need, to practise on the other. 

ROUVROY. 

Trust to the Bastard to draw in Duke John. 
He's forward in a scheme for melting down 
This newly-soldered fellowship of the Dukes. 
He's gone even now to put it in the pot 
Of those two Monk-magicians. As for me 



72 ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act iit. 

My lot is cast with his ; whither lie dares, 
Thither I follow 

ROCHE-BARON, 

If Duke John go with him 
I say the same. 

ROUVROY. 

Xo question of Duke John ; 
No question but he'll lead him like a lamb. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE II. 
An Apartment in the Chateau St. Antoine furnished icith 
a brazen head fixed on a skeleton, crystal globes, magic 
mirrors, and celestial squares. 

Father Buvulan and Father Betizac. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

For a brief moment I was high in hope 

The} 7 both would burn. Truly he singed his beard 

In saving of his barber. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Well, it shakes us. 
Unstable is the commonalty ever. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 73 

The Duke had but to tickle them with tropes 

And Passac was their chuck, their duck, their darling, 

Their Shaclrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 

That in our heathen fire had walked unhurt. 

Oh 'tis a fickle and a foolish people ! 

Their faith is with success ; who faileth falleth. 

When we lost hold of Passac, we lost hold 

Of credit and repute. De Montenay 

Sends rne his greeting and he hath no need 

Of the enchanted armour. There's a loss 

Of some five hundred crowns. De Graville's page 

Comes with his cozening master's countermand, 

Who cares not that his horoscope be cast 

Till better times. God grant his best be bad ! 

Since Tuesday there has been nor maid nor youth 

To spy their spousals in the magic mirror. 

All day the knocker sleeps upon the door 

As it were dead. What ! now it stirs. Come in. 

Enter the Bastard or Montargis. 

MONT AEGIS. 

So I Eeverend Fathers ! winters such as these 
Make fuel dear ; 'tis cruel to the poor 



74 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

To waste the store ; when next ye light your fire 
Look that there's something on the spit to roast. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

His Grace of Orleans in his brotherly love 
May, if it please him, set all traitors free 
To do their devilish work upon the King. 
Our part right loyally have we fulfilled, 
And stand acquitted. 

MONTARGIS. 

In your consciences, 
Yes doubtless in your tender consciences 
Ye stand acquitted. But elsewhere how stand ye ° 
The Duke, who snatched away his friend the Barber 
So seasonably, just as his wig was frizzled, 
Think ye with him ye stand acquitted ? No, 
Beware his wrath. And let me tell you, friends, 
This frizzling of a barber doth but clinch 
A foregone condemnation. Have ye heard 
How ye were handled at the Council-board ? 
Y 7 our very eyes and noses could not 'scape, 
But seeing that the}' did not please the Duke, 
Plain documents were they of your damnation 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 75 

Confirmed in Satan's signature and seal. 
To my poor thinking, Sirs, His Grace's speech 
Savoured of pitch and resin. Ye best know 
(For through affection and a burning zeal 
Ye are well seen in faggots and the stake) 
If it be pleasant to ascend the skies 
In manner of an incense. But if not, 
I counsel you to fiud some present shift 
For dwelling in the flesh. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Oh Lord ! Oh Lord ! 
Oh God be inerciful ! What mean you, Sir ? 
Know you of aught devised and put in hand 
Against our lives ? 

MONTARGIS. 

Of what I know, my friends, 
I tell you what I may. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Oh, Sir, sweet Sir, 
What may be done ? Befriend us in our need. 
Will gold redeem us ? We have here laid by, 
Out of our honest earnings, a round sum 



76 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act 

In crowns and ducats ; will it please you take 
And use it at your pleasure ? 

MONT AEGIS. 

No, Sirs, no ; 
Gold will do nothing ; ye must find a friend 
Who for so mighty a foe may prove a match. 
One only Lord there is, one only Prince, 
Of such sufficiency as to ward the blows 
Of the King's brother. Give yourselves to him 
Bravely and wholly. Danger is a dog 
That follows if ye fly, flies if ye face him. 

FATHER BTJVULAN. 

Surely His Highness knows us for his own. 
Oh, excellent Sir, commend us to His Grace ; 
We wait upon his every wish and word. 

MONT AEGIS. 

Commend yourselves by service. Well ye know, 
If aught your art avails you, who it is 
That by his damnable practice hath let loose 
These troops of demons that torment the King, — 
A sin by so much worse than fratricide 



in 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. 77 

As hell is worse than death ; ye know it well ; 
It is the Duke his brother. What ye know 
That daringly declare, and ye are safe. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

Oh, Sir, it was but reverence and respect 
For the Blood-royal muzzled us till now ; 
But at His Grace's honourable bidding 
The truth must be declared. 

MONTARGIS. 

His Grace's bidding ? 
The servant who doth only what is bidden 
Shall earn but scant reward. He that divines 
His master's need and feeds it, serves him tw^ice ; 
Serves him with head and hand and heart and will ; 
This is the saving service. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

Sir, 'tis well • 
This service we will render, and the truth 
Unflinchingly avouch. 

MONTARGIS. 

Truth is a gem 
Of countless price ; and life too is worth something. 



78 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act hi. 

Once more the Council in its wisdom meets 
To vex the question of the King's disease ; 
Ye shall attend it. Come meantime with me ; 
A little of my teaching will ye want 
Ere ye proceed adepts in speaking truth. 

[Exeunt. 



SCEXE III. 

TJw Convent of tlie Celestines. Nuns and Novices at work 
embroidering vestments and altar-cloths. 

FIRST NOVICE. 

I was next before lolande, and heard a kind of soft 
scuffle behind, and, turning round, I missed her; 
and oh ! woe is me ! I cried, there is a maid gone 
and it might have been I ! And I looked through the 
grating, and there he stood, a tall man and a beautiful 
bachelor. . He bade the other touch him if he dared : 
and there were words and oaths, and when they 
drew their swords I squealed and ran away. 

FIRST NUN. 

Ay, and it was time, too. Who taught thee to look 
at a man through a grating? 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 79 

FIRST NOVICE. 

Xobody, Mother. I was looking for Iolande. 

FIRST NUN. 

Then do so no more. If a maid look through a 
grating, what may she not see ? Peradventure the 
Grand Turk and all his Janissaries, and I know not 
what masquings and mummeries ; or the six satyrs 
which danced at the widow's wedding with no more 
clothing than a beast's, and by God's providence took 
fire and were burnt : all except His Gracious Majesty, 
whom God preserve ! 

SECOND NUN. 

Yes, Sister, there was another saved ; which was 
Jean de Xantouillet ; seeing he flung himself into a 
trough of water which was there for cooling of the 
wine, and calling upon St. Winifred she endowed 
the water with that virtue that it quenched the 
flames. 

FIRST NUN. 

But saidst thou a tall man, eh! and with a long 
nose? 



80 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

FIRST NOVICE. 

Tall, Mother ; and for his nose, it may be long or 
may not, as it pleases God; for there was but a 
small matter of moonlight to see it by. But he was 
not a Turk, which hath tusks, they say, like a boar ; 
nor a satyr, which is shaggy. 

SECOND NOVICE. 

Twice since hath a tall man come hither by the 
garden gate that was left open for him. I saw him 
through the casement in the dormitory. 

SECOND NUN. 

Fie ! fie ! This looking out of casements is un- 
seemly. Marcian looked out of a casement and she 
saw a little boy with a bow and arrow, which was 
a heathen and shot at her. Was he a fair-faced man 
with blue eyes and a light-brown beard? 

SECOND NOVICE. 

I know not, Mother, for his hat was drawn over 
his brows, and he held his kerchief to his face as 
though he had the toothache. 

THIRD NUN. 

Marry, and I'll warrant you God sent him a tooth- 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 81 

ache no sooner than he deserved. And if I were 
Abbess there should be no leaving open of gates for 
sinners to come in with their blue eyes and their 
brown beards. 

FOURTH NUN. 

Yea, and their rapiers at their sides like leopards, 
gaping and prancing up the walks that one knows 
not which way to turn for them. 

FIFTH NUN. 

No more prating and prattling. Come, Marceline, 
sing us one of thy holy songs, which is better than 
our babblement. 

THIRD NOVICE. 

I will sing you the song of the Knight and the 
Dragon. 

From men that naughty are and rude, 
Save us, St. Gregory and St. Jude. Amen. 

It begins so, Mother, and then it tells what happened. 

FIFTH NUN. 

Go on, child ; truly 'tis a good beginning, and very 
necessary. 

G 



82 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

THIRD NOVICE. 

A good Knight, hight Sir Vantadour, 
Grot on his horse and rode an hour ; 
Out of the city he rode amain, 
And came to a forest that stood on a plain, 

So full of wild beasts was that wood, 
Enter it no man durst nor could ; 
And those that did in twain were cleft, 
And eaten up till nothing was left. 

Through the wood the Knight rode forth 
For half a day, from south to north ; 
When, lo ! a Dragon he descried, 
And on its back a Lady astride. 

That Dame and Dragon were akin, 
Pride was he, and she was Sin ; 
The Dragon hissed, and reared his crest, 
The good Knight laid his lance in rest. 

" Beware," said Sin, " for Pride is strong, 
And mighty to uphold the wrong ; 
And woe to those that him attack, 
Hissing, with me upon his back." 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 83 

The Knight he rode a-tilt and smote 
The scaly Dragon in his throat ; 
The Dragon writhed and hissed and spat, 
But nowise blenched the Knight thereat. 

Then called the Dragon from six caves 
Six Blackamoors that were his slaves ; 
The Knight bade each and all advance, 
And featly slew them with his lance. 

Likewise the Dragon. Sin the while 
No longer frowned, but seemed to smile ; 
And called six Syrens fair to sight, 
Who flung their arms around the Knight. 

But back he stepped, and "Lo !" said he, 
" To fight with maids is not for me ; 
I know to fight where fame is won, 
But now best courage is to run." 

So first he fought, and then he ran, 
Sir Vantadour, that righteous man : 
And we from his ensample learn, 
To flee from Sin and Pride to spurn. 

Holy St. Gregory grant us grace 

To spurn at Sin and spit in her face. Amen. 



84 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act hi. 

SIXTH NUN. 

Well, God and St. Gregory forbid that we should be 
given over to sin, and it may be that some of the 
pupils see their friends more often than is conve- 
nient ; but hospitality is a Christian virtue, and if 
the garden gate stand open on feast-days to some 
honest gentleman, I hope there is no harm to follow. 
What I say is, that he should not come muffled up 
and no one to see the face of him. 

FIFTH NUN. 

Past a doubt this knight which comes once and again 
is the same which snatched Iolande from the hand of 
the Spoiler. 

THIRD NUN. 

Which some will swear was sore against her will for 
all her scuffling and screeching. I say nothing, but 
if ever such a thing happens to me, I shall not 
stand screeching away to no purpose, I think not 
indeed — I shall not stand waiting for any chance 
of a passer-by just to fall out of one man into 
another. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 85 

FIFTH NUN. 

St. Mary, Sister, it is not for such as thou and I to 
stand in dread of these dangers. 

THIRD NUN. 

Who knows ? It is true God has been good to me for 
fifty years and upwards, but I were too bold to count 
upon his mercies as though they were never to fail 
me. 

Enter a Fourth Novice. 

FOURTH NOVICE. 

I vow there is the same man again, coming in through 
the garden gate. 

THIRD NUN. 

The same again ! Frightful ! This must be looked 

to ; I must see to this. 

[Exit 

FIRST NUN. 

We must all see to it, we that wear the veil. What 
is this hurry- skurry ! Keep back, Novices ; it is 
not for you to be looking out at windows and lying 
await in corridors. Nay ! young legs ! They're all 
gone before one can cross oneself. 

[Exeunt. 



86 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 



SCENE IV. 

Another Apartment in the Convent. The Duke of 
Orleans and Iolande. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Once in a midnight march — 'twas when the war 
With Brittany broke out — tired with the din 
And tumult of the host, I left the road, 
And in the distant cloisters of a wood 
Dismounted and sat down. The untroubled moon 
Kept through the silent skies a cloudless course, 
And kissed and hallowed with her tender light 
Young leaf and mossy trunk, and on the sward 
Black shadows slumbered, softly counterchanged 
With silver bars. Majestic and serene, 
I said, is Nature's night, and what is Man's ? 
Then from the secret heart of some recess 
Gushed the sweet nocturns of that serious bird 
Whose love-note never sleeps. With glad surprise 
Her music thrilled the bosom of the wood, 
And like an angel's message entered mine. 
Why wander back my thoughts to that night march ? 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 87 

Can you divine ? or must I tell you why ? 

The world without and world within this precinct 

Are to my heart, the one the hurrying march 

With riot, outrage, ribaldry and noise 

Insulting Night, — the other, deep repose 

That listens only to a love-taught song, 

And throbs with gentlest joy. 

IOLANDE. 

What march was that ? 
Said you, the Breton War ? You followed then 
The banner of the Founder of this House, 
His Grace of Orleans. He is brave, they say, 
But wild of life, and though abounding oft 
In works of grace and penitence, yet as oft 
Lapsing to sin, and dangerous even to those 
His bounty sheltered. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

By his enemies 
All this is said and more. Are you then one ? 

IOLANDE. 

Nay, I know nothing save the gossiping tales 
That flit like bats about these convent walls 



88 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

Where twilight reigns. Gladly would I believe 
Our Founder faultless if I might ; but you, 
Living in courts and camps, must know him well. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

He is not faultless. 

IOLANDE. 

Are his faults as grave 
As tattling tongues relate ? 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

They're grave enough. 

IOLANDE. 

Are you then to be numbered in the file 
Of the Duke's enemies ? 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Indeed I am. 
Not one hath hurt him more. 

IOLANDE. 

What is your name ? 
The Abbess vows— what I but scantly credit — 
She knows it not. May I not know it ? No ? 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 89 

She says you are of credit with the Court, 
And hope through certain ministries of ours 
With holy relics, to restore to health 
One whom the Founder hath in high regard. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Soon will you know mine errand and my name ; 
My name too soon for me. It is well known 
To calumny. When told it, will you fly 
And banish me your presence ? 

IOLANDE. 

Never. No ; 
If calumny assail you, much the more 
Be gratitude intent to do you right. 
That you are true and generous and brave 
Not all the falsehood all the world can forge 
Shall sunder from my faith. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Yet is there more ; 
I said that calumny had soiled my name, 
Which is a truth. But bitterer truth 's behind. 
My life deserves not that my name stand clear ; 



90 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act in. 

I claim but to be true ; save loyalty 
Few gifts of grace are mine. 

IOLANDE. 

But you are young, 
And you will grow in grace. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

It should be so ; 
But hardly may I dare to say it will. 
I came upon a holy errand hither ; 
Yet something but half holy in my heart 
Detains my tongue from telling it. 

IOLANDE. 

Your words 
Are strangely dark. I guess not what they mean, 
And almost fear to ask. I know but little, 
Yet know that there are dangers in the world 
I have but heard of. May I trust in you ? 
Oh that 'twere possible to trust in you 
AVith boundless and inalterable faith ! 
Oh that 'twere possible to cast my soul 
On you as on the pillar of its strength ! 
But you, too, you are weak ; you say you are ; 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 91 

And only God is strong, and in His strength 
And in none other strength may strength be found, 
And in His love and in none other love 
His child may win an unbewildering love, 
Love without danger, measureless content. 
Leave her to seek it there. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Oh, Iolande ! 
I love you — yet to say so is a sin ; 
And such a sin as only such a love 
And veriest inebriety of heart 
Can palliate or excuse. An earthly bond, 
Earthly as it was woven of earthly aims 
By heedless hands when I was but a child, 
Yet sacred as it binds me to a wife, — 
This earthly-sacred bond forbids my soul 
To seek the holier and the heavenlier peace 
It might have found with you. 

IOLANDE. 

Go back, go back. 
I knew not you were married ; back to your wife ; 
Leave me — forget me — God will give me strength ; 



92 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act hi. 

There yet is time, for I am innocent still, 
And I was happy yesterday ; go back. 
Is your wife good ? 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

Yes, she is gentle, pure, 
Most loving, and much injured. 

IOLANDE. 

Oh go back, 
And never wrong her more, and never more 
Say yon love me. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

And yet in loving you 
I love my wife not less and virtue more ; 
For virtue linked with what allured me not 
Took prejudice, as though it held no league 
With what enamours and subdues the soul, 
And lost its hold of mine. In loving you 
Virtue her sovran rights shall repossess ; 
For even in the instant I beheld your face 
All that this glorious earth contains of good, 
As in a new creation, freshly, strangely, 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 93 

Bevealed itself, borne in upon my soul ; 
And since the mandate which created light 
And e} r es not mortal then, beheld God's works 
Not then defaced, no eye of man hath seen 
So fair an apparition as appeared 
This earth to me. 

IOLANDE. 

Home to your wife, go home ; 
Your heart betrays itself and truth and me. 
You know not love, speaking of love for two. 
I knew not love till now, and love and shame 
Have flung themselves upon me both at once. 
One will be with me to my death I know ; 
The other not an hour. Oh, brave and true 
And loyal as you are, from deadly wrong 
You rescued me, now rescue me from shame ; 
For shame it is to hear you speak of love, 
And shame it is to answer you with tears 
That seem like softness ; but my trust is this, 
That in myself I trust not, nor in you 
Save only if you trust yourself no more 
And fly from sin. 



94 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

More precious to my soul 
Is your affiance, though on stern conditions, 
Than ever soft surrender wildly meeting 
Love's wildest wish ; nor will I longer dare, 
Uplifted by the rapture of the time 
Entrancing me from insight, to forget 
That what is heavenliest in our mortal moods 
Is not as fixed and founded as the heavens. 
Yet do I dread to leave you, leaving thus 
My name the victim of all vile reports 
Which when you hear it you will hear. 

IOLANDE. 

No — no. 
The evil you have spoken of yourself 
I will believe, and not a breath beside. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

I ask no more — no more — oh, nothing more ; 
Not for one tone of that too tender voice, 
Not for one touch of that transparent hand ; 
No, nothing for myself. . . . 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 95 

Voices without. 

What! Iolande! 

Enter two Novices. 

FIRST NOVICE. 

Oh ! cry you mercy ! Are you not alone ? % 

IOLANDE. 

You knew I was not. 

SECOND NOVICE. 

Are you angry ? Me ! 
It is no fault of ours, for we were sent. 
The Sisters want you in the Founder's chapel 
To deck the altar for St. Clement's Eve ; 
None other knows to twine the mimic flowers 
And Nature's broidery to counterfeit. 

FIRST NOVICE. 

Old Sister Martha, mounting the ladder, tried, 
We handing up the flowers ; but from her hold 
Thrice fell the fleur-de-lys, and she, poor soul ! 
Was seized with trembling and would try no more. 
She said it was unlucky. 



96 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

It was strange. 

FIRST NOVICE. 

Yes, truly, Sir, it scared us. 

SECOND NOVICE. 

* Worse ensued ; 

For in her fright the ladder she o'erthrew, 
Which struck the Founder's banner in its fall, 
And that fell too. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

That fell before its time ; 
If ancient prophecy may win belief 
That should have waited for St. Clement's Eve. 

SECOND NOVICE. 

Sir, you say true. Come, Iolande, they wait you. 

IOLANDE. 

I will be there anon. So tell them. 

[Exeunt the two Novices. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

This 
I said, and I will say it once again, 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 97 

That for myself I ask nor word nor look 

That speaks of more than pardon. What remains 

Is but to name mine errand and begone. 

For one far worthier than myself I crave 

A boon that in the holiest human pity 

You may confer. A brother whom I love, 

Whom all men love, a treasure-house of weal 

For France and me, — in his behalf I ask 

What none but you can give. Sorely his soul 

Is wrung and tortured by the terrible power 

Of evil spirits, ever and anon 

Ee-entering his body through the gaps 

Of faltering faith and intermitted prayer, 

When struggling nature wearied with the strife 

Yields a brief vantage. 

XOLANDE. 

He shall have my prayers. 
'Twill be my sorrow's solace when you're gone 
To pray for one you love. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Did you but know him, 
In health so kind, beneficent and just, 

H 



98 ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act in. 

In anguish so unutterably tried, 
You'd pray with tears. 

IOLANDE. 

I never pray without ; 
But they shall flow from deeper depths for him. 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

For prayers I ask^and something more, — for service. 

A vial is there in the Bernardins 

Which holds the tears of Mary Magdalene, 

Shed as she stood before the tomb of Christ 

Ere Christ appeared ; an Angel as they fell 

Caught them, and later gave them to St. John 

In Patmos ; to St. Bernard from St. John 

Successive Saints devolved them, and such power 

Is theirs that should a virgin whom no sin 

Nor sinful thought hath violated, dip 

Her finger in them, calling Christ to aid, 

And trace upon the brow of one possessed 

The figure of the Cross, the unclean spirit 

Will instantly depart, and never more 

To one so fortified can fiend or imp 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 99 

Make good his entrance. Now you know what boon 
]n what behalf I beg. 

IOLANDE. 

Am I the maid 
That may do this ? Oh, would that I were worthy ! 
But if no holier hath the call, then I, 
Beseeching God of his abounding grace 
To give sufficiency, will work in faith. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

His blessing then upon your work and you ! 
I will betake me to the Bernardins, 
"Where is enshrined the relic. Once again, 
But in the hallowing presence of a rite 
More solemn than a service for the dead, 
We meet, and then, if so your conscience wills, 
We part for ever. 

IOLANDE. 

Once and no more. 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

Meanwhile 
The Lady Abbess will instruct you more 



100 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act tti. 

Touching myself, my Brother, and the weight 
And import of your task. 

[Exit. 

Enter the Lady Abbess. 

"Well, pretty one ; 
You know not yet what crown of honour . . . Yes, 
And worthily you wear it — here's a colour ! 
I wonder if my cheeks will e'er again 
Glow like a meteor, and my dangerous eyes 
Throw out blue lights . . believe me they could once. 
Well ! there's a time for all things ! I protest 
You look so stately and so lifted up 
I think you know what Knight you have in hand ; 
I think he told you. 

IOLAXDE. 

No, dear Lady -Mother ; 
Nor do I greatly care. How brave he is, 
How kind, how generous, how great of heart, 
I know — what care I for his name ? 

THE LADY ABBESS. 

Good child, 
Say not you care not till you know. Wliat, what. 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 101 

I will not tell you if you say you care not. 
Now do you care ? 

IOLANDE. 

Yes, I believe I do. 
Who is he ? 

THE LADY ABBESS. 

Louis, by the grace of God 
Of Orleans, Valois, Blois and Beaumont Duke, 
Count of Touraine ! Hi ! hi ! Besbrew tby heart ! 
The red blood ebbs amain ; the fleur-de-lys 
Hath beaten back the roses. 

IOLANDE. 

Oh my Mother ! 
Then he whose malady I'm charged to cure, 
He is the King ! Oh Mother, yes, I know — 
" A treasure-house of weal to France and him ;" 
He said to France. Mother, no hour shall fly, 
~No minute that I shall not pass in prayer. 
Send for the Hermit. Tell him in the chapel 
I shall be found. 

THE LADY ABBESS. 

Well, well, my child, I will. 

[Exeunt 



102 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act in. 

SCENE V. 

Another Apartment in the Convent — Flos de Flavy and 
Eaiz de Vezelay. 

FLOS. 

Talk not to me of love ; I loathe its name 
More than blue plague or the unburied corse 
That none dares touch. Give me thy hand ; I have it ; 
But is it mine ? 

de vezelat. 

For ever and for ever ! 

FLOS. 

Mine for all work that I shall put it to ? 

DE VEZELAY. 

In all submission thine. 

FLOS. 

Now give me this ; 
\_Draivs his dagger from its sheath . 
Thy dagger's haft is fashioned to a cross, 
As though for handling by some Christian Knight 



scene v.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 103 

Apt to avenge a woman ! Vain pretence ! 
Oh empty emblem ! Out of date in France. 
What dagger now leaps lightly from its sheath 
Save in a tavern brawl ? 

DE VEZELAY. 

Now by my soul 
You do us less than justice. "Women's wrongs 
Find yet in France avengers. 

FLOS. 

Is it so ? 
Then swear upon this Cross to prove it so. 
Swear to avenge me and be swift to strike — 
I say not whom, lest naming of his name 
My lips be withered and my human speech 
Turned to a serpent's hiss. 

DE VEZELAY. 

That do I swear ; 
And by what's holiest in the heart of man 
I hold myself herein God's minister 
Of wrath and judgment and your will as His. 



104 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act hi. 

FLOS. 

Give me thy hand again. It is too white. 

I dedicate this hand to truth and love, 

And hatred and revenge. White as mine own ! 

Dye it and bring it back to me to-morrow, 

And I will clasp it to my heart. Farewell. 

[Exeunt 



SCENE VI. 



The Council Chamber — The King, the Dtjke of Orleans, 
the Duke of Burgundy, the Archbishop of Paris, 
and other Councillors ; The Bastard of Montargis, 
the Abbot of the Bernardins, the Captain of the 
King's Guard, and others in attendance. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

The worthy Abbot here, my Lords, will vouch 
It has been tried a hundred times and more 
Nor e'er found wanting. 

THE ABBOT. 

Never yet, my Lords. 
The last demoniac who was dispossessed 



scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 105 

Was one from Vermandois, a damsel plagued 
With many devils, that she raved and shrieked 
And tore her clothes. A virgin of St. Cloud 
Dipping a finger signed her, whereupon 
A volley of blue sparks flew from her mouth, 
Then crows and winged serpents ; and with that 
She dropped her arms and knelt, and praising God, 
Gave thanks for her deliverance like a lamb. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

You hear. Since which she rests inviolate. 
Enough, Lord Abbot ; we will weigh your words. 

[Exit the Abbot of the Bernardins . 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

May it please your Majesty, I question not 

But that the tears shall work for good ; they may ; 

But this should hinder not that means be sought 

To track these devils home to them that send them ; 

And these sagacious Monks, as I am told, 

Have now their noses on the slot. They wait 

To tell their tidings. Ho there ! bring them in. 

[Exit Mont aegis. 



106 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

For me, my Lords, as soon would I take counsel 
With Satan's self as with his mimes and minions ; 
But since they please my Cousin let them come. 
I think — what smell is this ?• — they're not far off. 

Be-enter Montargis with Father Buvulan and 
Father Betizac. 

duke of burgundy. 
Bise, holy Fathers ; say to my Lord the King 
How speeds your quest? 

the archbishop. 

But first, I pray you, tell 
Whether it he by sorcery ye work, 
Or holier ways. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

My Lord Archbishop, no ; 
'Tis not by sorcery ; but as Moses wrought 
His wonders, and by Jannes and by Jambres, 
Egyptians and Sorcerers, was misdeemed 
To be a Sorcerer like themselves, so we 
By Sorcerers and their crew are Sorcerers called, 



scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. 107 

But by the faithful faithfuL For our art 
We draw it from the holiest source, a book 
Which God to Adam for his solace gave 
AVhen he had wept a hrmdred years for Abel. 
He that shall read this volume wheu the Moon 
Conjoins with Jupiter in the Dragon's head, 
Shall know of secret counsels that are hatched 
In Satan's kingdom. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

In what language, Sir, 
Is this book written ? 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

That which was used, my Lord, 
In Paradise. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

"Who taught it you ? 




FATHER BUVULAN. 



My Lord, 



The Book I speak of teaches it. 



DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Well, well; 

To the purpose. Say, if ye know, what man 



108 .ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act iti. 

Sends by Lis execrable art these fiends 
To vex the King, himself a fouler fiend 
Than any that obey him. 



FATHER BETIZAC. 

Honoured Lords, 
We know, but dare not tell. 






DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

How ! dare not tell ! 
How dare ye to be silent if ye know ? 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

My Lord, so loth are we to deem it true, 
Although we know it, we would fain believe 
Our art this once betrays us. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Tush ! no words 
Or words of weight ; no trifling, Friars, here. 
Speak to the point or take your hummings hence. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Oh, Sirs, but it is perilous to accuse 
Men in high places ! 'twere an ill return 



scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 109 

For our outspoken fearless honesty 
Should we lie open to the vengeful strokes 
Of guilty greatness ; and we humbly crave 
Some warrantise that what we're bid to speak 
Spoken shall bring no jeopardy of life 
Or liberty or goods. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Now look ye, Friars ; 
I've heard you heretofore with patience ; Yes, 
With singular patience, bred of that respect 
In which I hold you, so far I have heard you. 
But I am not a Saint ; patience has bounds ; 
And if ye do not instantly speak out 
By God I'll have your heads. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

Ah ! my good Lord, 
You deal too hardly with our just intent ; 
But being so bidden we must needs obey 
Though it may cost us dear. My Lord, the man 
Who to our sorrowing insight was revealed 
The worker of this evil on the King 



110 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

Stands in this presence on the King's right hand, 
His Grace the Duke of Orleans. 



DUKE OF OELEANS. 

Death and Hell ! 
Ye felon Monks, accuse ye me ? 



THE AECHBISHOP. 

My Lords, 
This is plain blasphemy — these men blaspheme — 
My Lords, these men, I say these men, my Lords, — 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

These men, Archbishop ? Venomous snakes, not men ; 

Fell vipers hissing through the mask of Monks. 

Detestable Apostates, come ye here, 

Yea to the face and front of Majesty, 

To trample on the Eoyal blood of France ! 

Eear up thy head, thou sacrilegious serpent, 

Ope thy white lips and spit that lie again 

In the King's face. 

THE AECHBISHOP. 

I say, my Lords, once more, 
These men profane this presence, speaking words 






scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. Ill 

That are most impious, and unfit to utter, 
And I may add untrue, and very fearful, 
Transgressing and o'erleaping, so to say, 
Those bounds of modesty which good men honour, 
Insomuch that I verily stand amazed. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

I say no more. I am ashamed to waste 

Good honest anger on a reptile's sting 

Or scold at kites and jackdaws. Sir my Brother, 

I deign not to reply to this foul charge, 

But leave it to your justice. 

THE KING. 

They shall die, 
Yea, instantly, an ignominious death. 
Ho ! Captain of the Guard, arrest these Monks. 

[The guard is called in and the Monies pinioned. 

My ever loving and beloved Brother, 

Who from our earliest years hast been to me 

A staff and stay, my dear delight in weal, 

My solace in affliction, be it known 

Who strikes at thy fair fame strikes at my heart, 



112 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

And as a traitor to the realm and me 
Shall suffer death. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Oh mercy ! spare our lives ! 
My honoured Lord of Burgundy, save us, save us. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

I save you ! Take them hence. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

But first a word ; 
Of your own malice, though as deep as hell, 
Ye have not learnt this lesson. Tell from whom . 
Beside the Devil ye derived it ; tell, 
And I myself may plead for you. 

FATHER BUVULAN. 

My Lord, 
You are most merciful and a Christian man. 
We were assured His Grace of Burgundy 
Knew more of this than we. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

My Cousin John ! 






scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 113 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

What, I, ye miscreant jugglers ! 

MONTARGIS. 

Take them hence — 
Off with them — off! and gag them, lest their lies 
Should spread amongst the people. 

FATHER BETIZAC. 

Base, false knight ! 
\T1ie Monies are gagged and carried off. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

My royal Cousin, what hath moved these Monks 
To mingle me with their malignities, 
I do protest I know not. Before God 
I am as innocent of this wrong to you 
As when my mother whelped me. 

THE KING. 

Doubt it not, 
My noble Brother. Think not that our Cousin, 
Who did but yesterday at the altar's foot, 
In token of a life-long good accord 

i 



114 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act in. 

Partake with you the bread of life and love, 
TV ould ever so surrender his purged spirit 
To evil counsels as to soil himself 
With perfidies like these. 



DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

I well believe it ; 
And do as freely from my heart absolve 
My Cousin of complicity in this, 
Yea with a faith as absolute as myself 
Of that I'm charged with. I would not believe 
A cat had stolen my cream upon the oath 
Of two such knaves as these ; how should I then 
Believe for them my royal Cousin wrought 
To poison my good name ? He did it not ; 
No, by the honour of the Fleur de Lys, 
He did it not. My pledge I here renew 
Of friendship and alliance. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

And I mine ; 
Here is my hand. 




scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 115 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

So be it. Now, my Lords, 
Our day's work thus determined, God be with you. 
With your good leave, my Brother. 

THE KING. 

Lords, farewell ; 
Our Brother as we think will wish us with him. 

[Exeunt the King and the Duke of Orleans. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

I crave a word of counsel ere we part : 

We see, Sirs, how no week can pass but breeds 

Some new device for healing of the King ; 

And what we now have witnessed proffers proof 

How easily in this good men may err, 

The dupes of knavish craft. Touching these tears, 

My Cousin may be right or may be wrong ; 

Certes his purpose and intent is good ; 

But that his counsellors and instruments 

Are unimpeachable, demands a doubt : 

The Abbot of the Bernardins, I hear, 

Is but a wily and a slippery saint ; 

And for my Cousin's virgin, who but knows 






116 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act hi. 

"What manner of maids they be that trade with him. 

Then for the tears ; there is another bottle 

Shrined in the Convent of St. Genevieve 

Which some think is the truer. How this be 

I know not ; but I know it is not meet 

Such things be hazarded in wantonness, 

And to this end it is I ask your aid. 

I deem that whoso shall essay such things, 

If harm should follow, howsoe'er excused, 

Should expiate the issue with their lives. 

So rash attempts shall fitly be foreslowen, 

And none shall tamper with the King's disease 

Save those that in themselves and in their means 

Have a full faith. Hold up your hands for " Yea." 

[All hands are holden up. 

It is decreed. I will not keep you longer. 
Farewell. Montargis, stay with me. Farewell. 

[Exeunt all but the Duke of Burgundy and the 
Bastard of Montargis. 

Well, this is strange, Montargis ; by St. George 
I nothing know what made those Monks so bold ; 
They had no cue from me. 



scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 117 

MONTARGIS. 

And by the Dragon 
I'll swear it was the truth that made thern bold ; 
For certain is it what they said was true ; 
The King's bedevilled by the Duke, no other ; 
Men do not deal in dangerous crimes for nothing, 
And who but he could profit ? 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Who but he? 

tLet but the King be kept incapable 
He thinks to rule supreme. 
1 



MONTARGIS. 

And for what cause 
Saved he up Passac, whose infernal arts 
Compass the King from hour to hour ? 



DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

But why 
The Monks should be so desperate for the truth 
At forfeit of their heads . . . 



MONTARGIS. 

That should be answered ; 
Why true then, let me see. Faith ! they were stung, 



118 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act hi. 

At the Duke's meddling with their roast the Barber, 
And, taking count he would avenge him, reckoned 
Their vengeance should have won the race of his. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDY. 

And when their reckonings ran them on a rock 
They hailed to me, beshrew them ! It is well 
My Cousin seems to think no evil. 

MONTAEGIS. 

Seems. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDY. 

Not honest, think' st thou, in his seeming ? 

MONTAEGIS. 

Nay, 
Your Highness searches men with inquisition 
Subtler than mine. You're positive the Monks 
No warrant had from you. I that am bound 
To know you nice and scrupulous of speech 
May swear to what you say. But who beside 
Will take it for a truth that men so mean 
And lowly of condition would thus dare 
To put their quarrel with a potent Prince 



scene vi.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. HO 

To mortal issue, save at Iris behest 
Who only is more powerful still ? 'Tis vain 
To dream the Duke, or any man, howe'er 
He mask the vengeful battery of his thoughts, 
Acquits you in his heart. 'Tis not in man 
To hold you innocent ; and if you deem 
The Duke so minded, you are lulled to sleep, 
That so the dagger of a dire revenge 
May waken you to death. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

By Anthony's cap 
I swear I had no part in this at all, 
Nor knew of their intent. 

IMONTARGIS. 

Sir, 'tis all one ; 
Part or no part, 'tis credited to you, 
And will be ever. Sir, go not abroad 
Unarmed or unattended. Be advised ; 
You are not safe. From this time forth you walk 
With pitfalls in your path. 'Tis you or he 
Must fall to rise no more. 



120 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act hi. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Well, I'll be wary. 

MONTAEGIS. 

One vantage yon may snck from what hath chanced. 

The Monks thns dying for the word they spake 

Will leave an echo in the people. These 

Will now misdoubt the Duke, and if mischance 

Should haply overtake him, some will say 

It was not undeserved. Let care be used 

To spread the accusation ; taking note 

The Monks, as they were led to death, were gagged 

To stifle it. Bid waver ers call to mind 

The dealings of the Duke in earlier years 

With Jean de Bar, and that enchanted ring 

Which still he wears, that gives him absolute sway 

O'er women be they ne'er so chaste ; which ring 

He scrupled not most impiously to employ 

Even in the Holy Week. Noise that abroad; 

And likewise that he hath a chamber, locked, 

Which none may enter, where the pictures hang 

By scores, of ladies o'er whose virtue thus 

He foully triumphed. 






scene vi.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 121 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Truly, I have heard 
Of such a chamber. 

MONTARGIS. 

More than heard have I, 
For I have seen it. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Hast thou ? By St. George 
Thou hast an entering art. How got'st thou in ? 

MONTARGIS. 

Sir, by the golden key. There is no lock 
Which that key fits not. To your Highness too 
Free entrance shall it open, would you view 
This zodiac of fallen stars. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Some idle hour. 
But go, Montargis, see if the Monks be safe, 
And bring me word. I am but ill at ease. 
'Twould comfort me to hear their heads were off. 

[Exeunt. 

END OF THE THIRD ACT. 



122 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act iv. 



ACT IV. 

SCENE I. 

The ivorlcing-room of a Painter, TJie Bastard of 
Montargis and the Painter. 

MONTARGIS. 

Well, Sir, these foolish women, as I said, 
Beset me for my picture — no escape ; 
And if a hundred crowns may answer it, 
There is the gold ; and being thus besieged, 
I hold my ransom cheap. 

PAINTER. 

The sum, my Lord, 
Has more relation to your quality 
Than my deserts. A side-face shall it be ? 
Your pardon — so — a little more this way — 
There — there, I have it. Touching this scar, my 

Lord ; 
Shall it be painted ? 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 123 

MONTARGIS. 

As you please. 

PAINTER. 

The face 
Should tell its story ; we will paint the scar. 
So now to work. 

MONTARGIS. 

Excuse me ; not to-day ; 
My leisure serves not ; but some fortnight hence 
I'll come again. Whose face is that, I pray, 
That gleams from yonder panel ? 

PAINTEE. 

That, my Lord ? 
It is Her Grace of Burgundy's. 

MONTARGIS. 

True — true ; 
You told me so before — stolen as she sat 
Over the lists at Nesle. 

PAINTER. 

'Tis but a sketch, 
Yet of great price to me ; for this wrought out 



124 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act iv. 

Builds up the fortune of my piece in hand, 
Salome in the hall of Herod. 



MONT AEGIS. 

Hah! 
That face befits the argument. The mole 
Upon the neck, — is that, as some aver, 
An added charm, or is it not a blemish ? 

PAINTER, 

There is a power in beauty which subdues 
All accidents of Nature to itself. 
Aurora comes in clouds, and yet the cloud 
Dims not, but decks her beauty. Furthermore 
Whate'er shall single out a personal self 
Takes with a subtler magic. So of shape ; 
Perfect proportion, like unclouded light, 
Is but a faultless model ; small defect 
Conjoint with excellence, more moves and wins, 
Making the heavenly human. 

MONTARGIS, 

For myself, 
Unto things heavenly am I devote, 



scene i.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 1 25 

And not to moles and warts or humps and bumps. 
Yet I consent, Her Grace of Burgundy 
Hath charms, as you have painted them, that vie 
With any France can boast. 

PAINTER. 

'Tis kind, my Lord, 
In you to say so ; but I spared no pains. 
Look closer ; mark the hyacinthine blue 
Of mazy veins irriguous, swelling here, 
There branching and so softening out of sight. 
Nor is it ill conceited. You may mark 
The timbrel drooping from her hand denotes 
The dance foregone ; a fire is in her eye 
Which tells of triumph, and voluptuous grace 
Of motion is exchanged for rapturous rest. 

MONTARGIS. 

'Tis all exceeding good. I take my leave, 
And, you forbidding not, some fortnight hence 
I come again. 

PAINTER. 

At your command. 



126 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act rv. 

MONTARGIS. 

Good day. 

[Goes out, but returns. 

I have bethought me of a friend whose soul 
Lies in the hollow of Her Grace's hand 
Soft fluttering like a captured butterfly, 
To whom this picture were the very leaf 
That it would feast on. In his amorous eyes 
This portrait would be worth a thousand crowns. 
Trust it to me, I prithee, for one day, 
That I may show it to my friend. 

PAINTER. 

My Lord, 

So soon as it hath stamped its e&igy 

Upon that altar-piece I told you of, 

'Tis yours to sell ; and for a forward step 

So please you in the mean time take and show it. 

Permit me to attend you. By your leave. 

[Exeunt. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 127 



SCENE II. 

The Chapel in the King's Palace. Iolande and Kobert 

the Heemit. 

Robert the hermit (kneeling at the altar). 
Father, that throned in glory and in light 
O'erseest all things, and this Earth thy work 
In its first newness fresh from Thee surveyd'st 
And sawest that it was good, behold it now 
Old and adulterate with pain and sin 
And cursed with strife, whilst anguish and despair 
Cry piercingly, but not to Thee, for pity. 
Behold it now a world of blood and tears ; 
And as by power Thou mad'st it fair at first, 
So by thy mercy, so by thy infinite love, 
So by thy heavenly washing, cleanse it now. 
Almighty Father, spare this realm of France. 
Father, this region, fairest of the earth 
Whilst Thou wast with us, wanting Thee is foul, 
And from its filth and rank corruption teem 
All loathsome, all unutterable crimes. 
Oh may the few that serve Thee serve Thee so 



128 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act rv. 

That many may be saved. Visit this Vine 

"Which Thou did'st plant and erewhile mad'st so 

strong ; 
Visit Thy Eoyal Husbandman King Charles, 
That, charged to tend it, he have Thee to aid, 
And fainting not, have power to chase and smite 
The wild boar breaking in. And if this Maid 
Be chosen of Thee, a vessel of Thy grace, 
Shower Thou thy blessing on her high endeavour. 

[He rises. 
Maid, I adjure thee for the last time now 
If any breath of earthly passion dim 
Heaven's mirror in thy mind, renounce this rite ; 
For as the blessing were beyond all price 
If thou and thine attempt indeed were blessed, 
So deep were thy damnation if, through sin 
Of self-deceit, or frailty of the flesh, 
Or wavering faith, or human loves at war 
"With heavenly, thou mad'st havock of this hope. 

IOLANDE. 

Hermit, I saw her ; she was robed in white, 
With golden hair that glistened in the sun, 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 129 

And eyes that looked in turn from me to Heaven 

xlnd Heaven to me, compassionate and pure 

And radiant with celestial love and joy. 

" I am St. Mary Magdalene," she cried ; 

And then as though she caught the word from Christ ; 

" Forward to Zoar ; faint not, look not back ; 

" If doubt assail thee, for that o'er thy soul 

" The shadow of a sin hath fleeted, deem 

" That doubt to be but devilish, and know 

" That dear and sacred in the sight of God 

" As innocence itself is blest contrition ; 

" Else why was I beloved, and whence this crown." 

"With that, the glory round her head shone forth 

With sevenfold lustre, and she vanished. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

See; 
The Duke, the King. 

Enter the King, the Duke or Orleans, The Abbot of 
the Bernardins, with the phial, and Passac. 

the king. 
Brother, I prithee bid the Sacristan 
Leave jangling of those bells. 



130 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act iv. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

I hear no bells ; 
'Tis but your fancy, Brother. I have heard 
The ear hath phantoms, like as hath the eye, 
And men hear sounds that are not. It is common. 

THE KING. 

True ; once I thought my body was a church, 
My head the belfry ; and you'd scarce believe 
What clangour and what swinging to and fro 
Went on, and how the belfry rocked and reeled, 
Till Death, the knock-kneed laggard, came to church ; 
Then all was peace. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

No more of that. Look, look 
There by the Altar is that spotless Maid 
On whom the sainted Magdalene drops anew 
Her tears of tenderest love, which, turned to balm, 
With potent touch shall heal and fortify 
This shaken yet majestic soul of France. 
Make no delay. 




scene ii. ] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 131 

THE KING. 

Oh Virgin fair and pure, 
Thou hast a goodly presence, and thy face 
Is like the face of one who longs for Christ 
And sees Him coming in the clouds with power ; 
And now thou drawest near, thou'rt not of earth ; 
For there's a glory round thee, and thine eyes 
Are as that Seraph's which I saw long since 
When God was good and gracious to my soul 
And sent me messages of love. Oh maid ! 
I see a Heavenly message in thy face 
And know thee more than human. 

IOLANDE. 

Eoyal Sir, 
It is a vision you behold, not me ; 
I see it too ; whichever way I look 
Is light and glory, for it fills the place, 
And angels' eyes meet mine. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Let none gainsay 
That angels' eyes behold this work. Oh thou 



132 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act iv. 

Redeemed from sinful love by love divine, 

Who, weeping in the darkness nigh the tomb, 

Wast by the angels bidden not to niourn 

For Christ was risen, which heard thou went'st thy 

way 
With fear and with great joy, — teach us to weep 
In such wise that great joy may come through tears, 
Knowing Him risen : thou debtor unto whom 
Love brought forgiveness and forgiveness love 
Eedounding each to other, ask for us 
That love and pardon our great debt demands : 
Thou who with tears didst wash the feet of Christ, 
Wash them again with tears, wash them again 
With tears of intercession for the sins 
Of God's afflicted servant, Charles of France. 



THE KIN'G. 

I know him — 'tis the Hermit — he does well 
To clothe himself in skins. Brother, a word ; 
It is not meet I undergo this rite 
In Royal robes ; I should be humbly clad ; 
I and the Hermit will change clothes. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 133 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Nay, nay, 
This is no time to linger. Kneel as you are. 
Lord Abbot, place the phial on the altar. 
Now, sainted Iolande, Beloved of God, 
Perform your hallowed function. 

the king (kneeling). 

Be it so. 

IOLANDE. 

I, as divinely called, and by the grace 

I trust is given me, sign thee with this Cross ; 

And by God's power, and by the Cross of Christ, 

And by the virtue of these sacred tears 

"Wept by St. Mary Magdalene, enjoin 

All evil spirits that inhabit here, 

If any now inhabit, to depart, 

And I command that none henceforth shall dare 

To vex the soul of this anointed King. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Amen ! amen ! so be it ! 




134 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act iv. 



THE KING. 

There they go — 
That's Astramon, that's Cedon. Get ye hence, 
False traitors ! My Lord Abbot, follow, follow, 
And sprinkle holy water in their track, 
Or they will turn again. Good Hermit, follow. 

[Exit, followed by Kobert the Hermit, 
the Abbot, and Passac. 

iolakde. 
Hear me, Angelic Host ! Seraphic Bands, 
And Spirits that erst imprisoned here on earth 
Have burst your bonds and mounted, list to me 
A child of earth, to whose weak hands were given 
The spear and shield of Christ, — oh bear me up 
Now that my task is done, lift up my heart, 
For it is trembling, tottering, fainting, sinking, 
And teach it such a song of joy and praise 
As, borne aloft toward the Mercy-seat, 
May mix with hallelujahs of your own ! 
And oh that I were worthier, and that now, 
Upspringing from my consummated task, 
I might but be released and join your choirs 




scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 135 

In endless anthems ! God of boundless love, 
Take me, oh take me hence ! 

Be-enter Passac. 

passac. 

My Lord, the King, 
As hath been sometime heretofore his wont, 
Hath bid us take away his sword. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Well, well; 
No matter ; say no more. 

PASSAC. 

He calls for you. 

DUKE OP ORLEANS. 

I come. Oh, Iolande, a hasty vow 

Was that I vowed, that when thy work was wrought 

I never more would ask to see thy face. 

Once, once again I must. Ere the sun set 

I bring thee tidings of the King. 

[A cry within. 
My Lord ! 




136 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act iv. 

THE DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

I come, I come. 

IOLANDE. 

I fear you now no longer ; 
Christ hath me by the hand and I am safe. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Passac, attend her to the Celestines. 

Who calls so loud ? I come, I say, I come. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE III. 

The Secret Cabinet in the Palace of the Duke of Orleans, 
hung round with Pictures, each concealed by a curtain. 
The Duke of Burgundy, the Bastard of Montargis, 
and an Attendant. 

Montargis (to the Attendant). 
Withdraw the curtains and retire. 

duke of burgundy. 

Too true ; 
Wild as the winds, they tell me, wild as the winds. 
He knows not those about him nor himself; 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 137 

Son of Perdition, Scape-goat, Man of Sin, 
He calls himself, and foams at all who say 
"Your Grace," " Your Highness," or "Your Ma- 
jesty." 
No madman who believes himself a King 
Is so enamoured of his royalties 
As this poor King envenomed is against them. 
To see the Fleur de Lys most angers him, 
And when he can he tears it. One alone 
Hath power upon him (whence derived we know) 
The Milanese enchantress Valentine, 
My worthy Cousin's wife, who reads such books 
As when the hangman burns he puts on gloves 
For fear of what may happen. In his rage 
He seized the old Archbishop by the throat, 
Bidding him cease philandering and fiddling 
And dig himself a grave beneath the gallows. 
The Archbishop, in a mortal terror, cried, 
" Oh let me go and I will do 't," — whereat 
He squatted on the floor, and laughed. 

MONTARGIS. 

This day, 
If ever, shall your Highness seize the reins. 



138 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act iv. 

The people are inflamed ; in every street 
They gather, hurling curses at his head 
Whose practice once again hath crazed the King. 
The death, too, they demand of that young "Witch 
Whose art the Duke hath used. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

That was decreed 
Beforehand. 

MONT AEGIS. 

Sir, a Council should be called 
Ere this cools down. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDY. 

Already it is called ; 
It meets at six. — Ho ! here's a galaxy 
Of glowing dames ! Well done, my amorous Cousin ! 
Whate'er his errors at the Council-board, 
By Becket's bones I cannot but commend 
His choice of paramours. Banners are these 
Ta'en in Love's warfare, and hung up to tell 
Of many a iSoble, many a Knight despoiled. 
Ha ! were it not a frolic that should shake 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 139 

Grim Saturn's self with laughter, could we bring 
The husbands hither, each to look round and spy 
The blazon of his dire disgrace . 

MONTARGIS. 

'Twere sport 
That were I following my father's hearse 
Would make me roar with merriment. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Who's this ? 
Tell me the name and quality of each 
In order as they come. 

MONTAEGIS. 

This is Adele, 
Wife of the Seneschal de Montenoy. 
Beautiful vixen ! for three years and more 
He caged her in his castle on the Yonne 
To teach her tameness ; and she learnt revenge ; 
Whereof her present love is part and lot. 
Yond Cupid whom you see there in the ceiling 
Poisoned his arrow when he shot at her. 

She mimics gracefully a fondling softness, 



140 ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act iv 

But there's less danger in a bear's embrace 
Than her caressings. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

God ha' mercy ! Pass ; 
Who is the next ? 

MONT AEGIS. 

Evangeline St. Cler, 
The lily of Bordeaux, Count Eaymond's daughter ; 
An easy, lazy lady, freely fraught 
By nature with a full complacency 
And swelling opulence of inward joy 
Sufficient to itself, that knows no want, 
Too careless happy to have need of love. 
And leave her unmolested, she were chaste 
As Thekla in the cave ; but urged and pressed 
Eesistance is too troublesome. She's kind, 
And if a lover wring his hands and weep, 
She can refuse him nothing. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDY. 

"Weep for a woman ! 
I'd have the fool well whipped. I know the next ; 
She, if I err not, is De Chauny's spouse. 







scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 141 

MONTARGIS. 

Pressing a portrait to her pouting lips, 

Which once were not so pale ; and whence the change 

Ask her successor smiling opposite, 

The Jew Eispondi's daughter fresh from Khodes. 

A polished corner of the Temple she, 

Dove's eyes within her locks ; an innocent child 

Sold as a toy and senseless as a toy, 

Who hardly knew what love or sin might mean. 

Her reign was short. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

And then the next ! 

MONTARGIS. 

Which ? This ? 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

She with the timbrel dangling from her hand. 

MONTARGIS. 

I know not this. This was not here before. 
The one beyond it . . . 



142 ST. CLEMENTS EYE. [act it. 



DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Not so fast ; this face 
I surely must have seen, though not, it may be, 
For some time past. It hath a princely grace 
And lavish liberty of eye and limb, 
"With something of a soft seductiveness 
Which very strangely to my mind recals 
The idle days of youth. That face I know, 
Yet know not whose it is. 






MONTARGIS. 

JSTor I, my Lord; 
Albeit the carriage of the neck and head 
Is such as I have somewhere seen. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

By Heavens! 
It is my wife. 

MONTARGIS. 

Oh no, my Lord — no, no ; 
It cannot be her Highness. 






scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 143 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

But it is ; 
I tell thee, Bastard of Montargis, this, 
This picture is the picture of my wife. 

montargis. 
And I, my Lord, make answer, it is not. 
There is a mole upon the neck of this 
"Which is not on your wife's. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

That mole is hers; 
That mole convicts her. 

MONTARGIS. 

"What ? a mole ? Well, yes— 
Now that I think of it, some sort of mark, 
A blot, a blur, I know not what .... 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

That mole. 
By God, Montargis, I will have his blood. 

MONTARGIS. 

My Lord, I do beseech you, be not rash. 
I own this is not at all points the place 




144 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act iv. 

Where I could wish, to find hung up to view 
A portrait of Her Grace of Burgundy : 
But patience is a virtue which the times 
Demand of married men ; to shout one's shame 
"Were but to add to injury disgrace ; 
Make not an open scandal ; keep it close ; 
Nor give to every mocking mountebank 
A theme for jest. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

No scandal ; there's no need ; 
But ere yon sun shall set that villain dies. 

MONTARGIS. 

'Tis just he should; and as the world wags now 
There will be twenty triumph in his death 
For two that seem to mourn. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

He dies, by God ! 
This hand shall kill him if none other. 

MONTARGIS. 

Nay, 
Such handiwork should not become your Highness. 
Give me your warrant and the deed is done. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 145 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Ere the sun sets. 

MONTARGIS. 

A later hour were better; 
We want not daylight for a deed like this. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

I sleep not till he's dead. Come thou with me 
And take thy warrant. 

MONTARGIS. 

Sir, at your command. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Look here, Montargis ; 

[Drawing his sword. 
Should a breath be breathed 
That whispers of my shame, the end is this. 

[Stabs the portrait in the heart. 

[Exeunt, 

END OF THE FOURTH ACT. 



146 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act y 




ACT V. 

SCENE I. 
A Street.— Dm Vezelay meeting Ms Squire. 

DE VEZELAY. 

What of Montargis ? Hast thou found his track ? 

SQUIEE, 

'Twas dark ere I had reached the spot ; but there 

I spied him ; he was muffled in his cloak 

And skulked beneath a porch you'll find half way 

Betwixt the Celestines and Gate Barbette ; 

It bears for sign the image of our Lady. 

I left Philippe to watch and came to tell. 

DE VEZELAY. 

Then there shall he be met with. 

SQUIRE. 

He is armed. 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 147 

DE VEZELAY. 

Else could I not assail him. Should I fall 

Take thou this token unto her thou knowest, 

And say I gladly would have lived to serve her, 

Wherein defeated, I as gladly die. 

Which ended, to my mother take this purse. 

It sums the wealth of Eaiz de Vezelay. 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE II. 

The Convent of the Celestines. — The Duke of Orleans 
and Iolande. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

I knew, sweet Iolande, though thou couldst not, 
The import of that word which Passac brought, — 
" He bade us take away his sword." Poor soul ! 
So long as sense is with him he takes thought 
For all, and ever as the clouds within 
Speak to his spirit of a coming storm, 
Desires to be disarmed. Now other signs 
Denote it, and we blind ourselves in vain. 

IOLAXDE. 

Oh, and the guilt is mine — 'tis mine, all mine ; 



148 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 

And if indeed the storm should strike, for rne 
One mercy should be left, and it is this, — 
That he take back his sword and plunge it here. 
Oh better far to perish by the sword 
Than sickening with the sense of sin and shame 
To die a lingering death, cast out from grace, 
Rejected and forsaken. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

Iolande, 
Beloved, never yet have shame nor sin 
Stained thy resplendent soul, nor ever shall. 
One bliss may be forbidden us, my beloved, 
But thou art still a chosen child of Heaven, 
For Heaven is in thine eyes and in thy lips 
And in thy port and in the very voice 
Which speaks thee outcast and forlorn. Oh think 
That earthly love hath oft a Heavenly mission, 
And comes as comes the Comforter, to chase 
The spirit of despair which God reproves 
And cherish hope. Oh glorious heavenly Hope, 
That from the perishings and dyings down 
Of its own outgrowths ever springs afresh, 
And as it springs, clasped in the arms of Love, 



scene ii.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 149 

Is rapt to such fruition as repays 

All losses and mishaps. I could have borne, 

I thought I could have borne, to lose thee, love, 

Caught in a blaze of triumph and of joy 

That snatched thee from my sight ; but as thou art 

Nor Earth nor Hell shall part us. 

IOLANDE. 

Earth and Hell ! 
It is for Heaven to part us. Earth and Hell 
Are closing round and pressing in npon us 
That neither may escape the other's snare. 
My strength hath left me. I am fallen, fallen, 
And know myself no more as I was once 
A free and fearless ranger of the skies, 
Bathing in sunshine and in rainbow lights, 
And dreaming things divine. Earth hath me now : 
My spirit is in chains ; and if I dream, 
'Tis of a darkness blacker than Earth knows, 
And of a bitterer bondage. 

DUKE OF OKLEANS. 

Look not back ; 
'Tis that way darkness lies. God's will it was 



150 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 

That thou shouldst faithfully strive, yet strive in 

vain 
To bring the afflicted succour. That is past ; 
He doth not doom thee for thy righteous zeal 
To share their prison-house and clank their chains. 
Come forth then from the Past ; come bravely forth, 
And bid it get behind thee. We will fly 
To fields where Nature consecrates the joys 
Of liberty and love. With thee to rove 
Through field and pathless forest, or to lie 
By sunlit fountain or by garrulous brook 
And pour love's hoarded treasures in thy lap, 
Bright as the fountain, endless as the stream, 
Wild as the forest glades, — Oh what were this 
But to foretaste the joys of Paradise, 
And by a sweet obliviousness forget 
That Earth hath unblest hours and dim abodes 
Where Pain and Sorrow dwell. 

IOLANDE. 

Alas ! alas ! 
'Twere to forget that there's a God in Heaven. 
Prince, I have told thee I am weak through grief; 






scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. 151 

Weak through the overthrow of faith and hope ; 
Weak through the triumph of malignant powers : 
And weak through what beside I will not say. 
And here I stand before thee, a poor child, 
Unutterably wretched and abased, 
But knowing there is yet a further fall. 
Oh, spare me, save me ! make me not a prey ; 
For I am wounded almost unto death, 
And cannot fly. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

Enough. Oh Iolande, 
Thy spirit in its weakest hour is strong, 
And rules us both ; and where thy spirit rules 
Is sanctity supreme, and Passion's self 
Is in thy presence purified and purged 
From earthly stain and ministers to grace. 
No word nor wish shall henceforth violate 
That holy precinct. 

Enter Flos de Flavy. 

flos. 
Iolande, oh fly ! 
Take instant flight ; a message hath been brought 



152 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act 

From Eaiz de Vezelay in fearful haste ; 
The people clamour and the Council sits 
To judge thee, and no safety but in flight. 

IOLANDE. 

Great God ! one Angel watcheth o'er me still 
Sent by Thy pardoning love, the Angel Death. 

DUKE OF OBLEANS. 

The Council sits to judge her ! Who hath dared 
Without my mandate to convene it ? 

FLOS. 

Sir, 
His Grace of Burgundy in Council sits, 
And to appease the people pledged his faith 
That judgment should be passed. 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

His Grace is mad, 
Or else 'tis in the dark he strikes, not knowing 
Why nor at whom. Fear not for Iolande ; 
I'll to the Council instantly, and all 
Will then be right. My Cousin and myself 
Are now in amity, and were we not, 




scene ii.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 153 

We ever have been as we ever shall 

Frank friends or open foes. All will be right. 

I'll tell them it is I shall answer this, 

For 'twas of my devising. 

IOLANDE. 

Oh ! no, no ; 
You shall not go ; all was well done by yon ; 
The guilt was only mine. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Sweet Iolande, 
Your arms about me thus would once have strained 
The staunchest of my purposes — but now . . . 

[Breaks away. 

Kobeet the Heehit enters. 

EOBEET THE HEEMIT. 

Is this a time for clippings and embracings ? 
Kneeling in prayer were meeter ; know'st thou not 
What threatens thee, and hear'st thou not thy knell ? 

DUKE OF OELEANS. 

I know what threatens those that threaten her. 

[Exit. 



154 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 



FLOS. 

It is the people that I fear the most ; 
They are as cruel as that dangerous Duke, 
And madder than their King. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Unhappy maid, 
Haste thee to Sanctuary ; a dreadful fate 
Awaits thee else. 

10LAXDE. 

Hermit, it is but death. 
Let me stay here. What death am I to die ? 
Is it by fire ? God grant it be by fire ! 
For holiest men aforetime have so died. 
Oh Hermit ! am I utterly unworthy 
To die like them ? 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Maiden, the hand of God 
Hath written up thy sin. Thy fatal touch 
Polluted and depraved the inherent grace 
Of those most holy tears. 




scene ii.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 155 

IOLANDE. 

Oh 'tis most true ; 
My guilt is great ; the visions of the sense 
Beguiled my wandering soul, and T misdeemed 
Fallen nature's ecstacies for grace divine. 

KOBEKT THE HERMIT. 

Look further for thy fault. How and whence came 
That treachery of the sense ? the love of God 
Enamours not the sense, nor, being pure, 
Conspires with that, like losels o'er their cups, 
To inebriate the soul and so betray. 
For love of God the Father, God the Son, 
And God the Holy Ghost, comes not with heat, 
With seizure, transport and with ravishment ; 
Since these are wild and fugitive as the lights 
That dance and flicker o'er a new-filled grave ; 
And where these are, there are the fumes of death . 
And savour of corruption — amorous love 
Tainting the love of Christ. I saw even now 
Him that went hence reluctantly let go. 
Search thou thy heart ; avoid the wrath of God ; 
And that thou may'st avoid it, take thou heed, 



156 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 

Nor brave in wantonness the wrath of Man. 
It were presumptuous sin to court that death 
Which God in His great mercy and good time 
Grants or withholds. 

FLOS. 

Yes, Iolande, oh yes, 
'Tis tempting Providence to linger. Come. 

IOLANDE. 

Take me to Sanctuary. I will wait God's time. 

[Exeunt. 




SCENE III. 



A Street. In front is the porch of a house, surmounted 
by an image of the Virgin. — TJie Bastard of Mon- 
targis and Eaoul de Eouvroy. 

DE ROTJVROY. 

This north wind bites. I am half sick with cold. 

MONT aegis. 
The night is chill ; but something in my soul 
Dances and sparkles like yon frosty star. 



scene in.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 157 

Work, when a man is working with a will, 
Warms him at heart. 

DE ROUVROY. 

This hanging by and waiting 
Is what I hate. Come but the work to hand 
It warms me well. 

MONTARGIS. 

Xo lover for his love 
Waits with more ardent and impatient joy 
Than I for him. And look ! he comes ! Hide, hide. 

[They retire under the porch. 

Enter the Duke of Orleans and Geoffrey de Laval, 

his Page. 

DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Xow haste thee home, and bid the Seneschal 
Bring me swift muster of the men-at-arms 
Wherever I may be. 

montargis (springing from the porch, followed by 
de rouvroy and others). 

That is in Hell. 

[Stabs him. 



158 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v 



DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

Ha ! know ye whom ye strike ? Villains, 'tis I, 
The Duke of Orleans. 

MONTARGIS. 

The man we want. 



DUKE OF ORLEANS. 

I know thee not, nor whence thy grudge to me : 
But thou hast struck the life. 

[Falls. 

MONTARGIS. 

And will again. 

[Aiming again at the Duke, whose Page, throwing 
himself on his master, is stabbed and dies. 

MONTARGIS. 

Fool, what thy master needed not is thine. 
He hath enough. 

DE ROUVROY. 

What ! is he dead ? Make sure. 




scene in.] ST. CLEMEKT'S EVE. 159 

MONTARGIS. 

Look in the gutter ; full of blood he was ; 

But if that drain him not . . . Fly for your lives, 

There's some one comes. 

[Exeunt Montargis and his gang. 

Enter De Vezelay and his Squire. 

DE VEZELAY. 

What horrible sight is this ! The Duke ! the Duke ! 

duke or Orleans (raising himself). 
And who art thou ? Is't not De Vezelay ? 
Not many minutes have 1 left of life, 
De Vezelay — 

[Seeing the body of his Page. 

Alas ! poor faithful boy ! 
And could'st not thou be spared ! De Vezelay, 
Lift me and take me to the Celestines 
Alive or dead. Despatch thee. If God will 
I fain would reach the Celestines alive. 

[Faints. 
de vezelay (assisted by his Squire, takes up the Duke). 
Accursed be my feet that came too late, 
My hand, that could not find a time to strike 



160 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act v 

Ere this was acted. Bastard ! man of blood ! 
'Tis thou, 'tis thou that didst this murder. So ! 
Swiftly but smoothly to the Celestines. 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE IV. . 

TJie Council Chamber. The Dukes of Burgundy, 
Bourbon, and Berri, the titular King of Sicily, and 
divers high Functionaries and Officers of State. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

I will be sworn, my Lords, the Duke my Cousin 
Can clear himself of this. The people fume 
And rub again old rancours, and in chief 
That satyr's dance, when, as by miracle, 
Of five that from his Brother's torch took fire 
Masquing in garbs of tow and burned to death, 
The King alone escaped, thanks be to God ! 
They murmur, too, of Passac's rescue, wrought, 
As they misdeem, in malice to the King ; 
Whence they, by evil inference, charge the Duke 
That he designed the present woe. For me, 
I hold him innocent, though much misled. 



scene iv.] ST! CLEMENTS EVE. 161 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Good Nephew, for the witchcraft let the witch 
Be answerable singly ; mix not up 
His name with hers. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

When she hath smelt the fire, 
Doubt not the people shall be pacified* 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Clerk, is the warrant ready? 

CLERK. 

Here, so please you. 
[As he signs the icarrant, enter Mon- 
targis, who whispers in his ear. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

And next, my Lords, the testy time considered, 
Behoves us to take order with all speed 
Touching the Eegency. My Cousin's claim 
Stands first. I marvel he is not amongst us ; 
I scarce can think the city so incensed 
But he might find his way in safety hither. 
Yet, though he slights us, let it not be said 
His absence slurred his rights. The vulgar voice 

M 



162 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 

Is loud against him ; but what skills it ? Noise 
Shall never fright prescription from its course, 
Nor shall a puff of popular discontent 
Move ordinance aside. 

[Shouting is heard in the streets. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

^Yhat cries be these ? 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY, 

Know'st thou, Montargis ? 

MONTARGIS. 

Sir, the citizens 
Demand the death of that young Sorceress 
Who practised on the King. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

There is her doom. 

[Gives him the warrant. 

See thou the citizens be satisfied ; 

Their urgency is just. 

[Exit Montargis. 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

But hark again ! 
I seem to hear an uproar here within, 
A hideous shrieking. 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 163 

Enter the King's Chamberlain. 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

Oh, my Lords ! my Lords ! 
A treason — such a treason — such a deed — 
A deed so barbarous, all the world's despite 
Can never match it, hath been done — Oh God ! 
So black a treason . . . 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

What, upon the King ! 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

Not on the King, my Lord, — the Duke— the Duke — 
His Grace of Orleans. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

God in heaven forefend ! 
What hath befallen him ? 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

Dead, dead, my Lord ; 
Most foully murdered. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

My sweet Cousin dead ! 



164 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act v. 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

Stabbed in the street as he was hastening hither : 
Scantly attended and unarmed. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

Stabbed dead ! 

KING OF SICILY. 

Merciful Heaven ! Whose monstrous deed is this ? 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Oh God, Thy hand is heavy on this realm ! 
"When will the measure of Thy wrath be full 
And horrible portents cease ? 

KING OF SICILY. 

Who did it ? Who ? 
Who did this murder ? 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Ay, Sir, speak ; who did it ? 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

1 know not who, but they are more than one 
And running different ways. 






scene iv.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 165 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

Send for the Provost ; 
Set double guards upon the city gates, 
And let none pass. 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

The Provost is astir 
And the whole city in the streets. The gates 
Are closely guarded, and 'twas seen by some 
Whither the murderers fled. With these for guides 
The Provost tracks them. 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Nephew, are you ill ? 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Ill ? No ! who says I'm ill ? 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

You're deadly pale. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Who can abide so terrible a blow 

And keep the crimson in his cheeks ? Who's safe 

If thus the very gutters of our streets 

Eun with the blood of Princes ? Who's secure ? 

Which of us next ? Send for the Provost. 



166 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 



DUKE OF BERRI. 

Nay, 
It were but hindering him to call him hither ; 
He's hot upon the quest. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Then God forbid 
That we should hinder him. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

Why lo ! he's here, 



Enter the Provost of Paris. 

KING OF SICILY. 

Speak ; hast thou found them ? Hast thou found the 

fiends 
That did this execrable deed ? 

PROVOST. 

My Lords, 
Some of their number tried the Gate Barbette, 

But found it shut ? 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

And whither fled they then ? 










scene iv.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 167 

PROVOST. 

I think, my Lords, I know ; and might I search 
Whose house I will, high, low, or rich or poor, 
Or though the noblest in the city, then 
I'll stake my head these traitors shall be caught. 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Search where thou wilt ; in Paris none, thou know'st, 
May dare to shut his door against the Provost, 
Save only Princes of the Blood. 

PROVOST. 

My Lords, 
The powers I crave are such as bear no note 
Of reservation. 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Take them to the full. 
What say ye, my good Brothers and my Cousin ? 

KING OF SICILY. 

All privilege pushed by, break every bar 
That stays thee. 



168 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act v. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

Even as we would ourselves ; 
Hut, hovel, royal palace, all alike, 
Enter and search. 

DUKE OF BUEGUXDY. 

Nay, hold ye there. For me, 
I'll have no nuzzling catchpole cross niy door, 
As though misdoubting that a royal roof 
Should harbour cut-throats. 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Cousin ! 

PROVOST. 

In your hands, 
My Lords, I place my office. 'Tis for you 
To do your pleasure. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

Nephew, should thy door 
Be solely barred, when all stand open else, 
There were a second slaughter done this day, 
And thy good name the victim. 



scene iv.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 169 

KING OF SICILY. 

By God's death 
I would myself impeach thee. 

DUKE OF BURGUNDY. 

Spare thy threats, 
Good Uncle. It was I that did this deed. 

DUKE OF BOURBON. 

Too well I knew it from the first. 

KING OF SICILY. 

And I. 

DUKE OF BERRI. 

And dar'st thou say thou did'st it, thou that satt'st 

Pledging him at my board but yesternight, 

And with him at Christ's table did'st partake 

A pledge more sacred still ? Dar'st say 'twas thou ! 

KING OF SICILY. 

Oh shame to knighthood and our Eoyal House ! 
Pluck from thy miscreant crest the Fleur de Lys 
And stick the deadly hellebore in its place, 
For from this hour attainted is thy blood, 



170 ST. CLEMENT'S EYE. [act v. 

And from the Royal Tree of France thy branch 
Is lopped and on a dunghill cast to rot 
With all that's base and abject. Hence ! begone ! 
Get hence or I will spurn thee with my foot 
And push thee out of door. 

DUKE OF BUEGUNDY. 

Beware, good Sirs, 
The day we meet again. 

[Exit 

KING OF SICILY. 

Pursue him, Provost, 
Arrest him. 

DUKE OF BEEEI. 

Be not hasty. First take note 
Which way the people tend. 

DUKE OF BOUKBON. 

'Tis well advised ; 
Let's muster each of us our several guards 
And draw them to a head ; the people else 
May turn upon ns. 



scene v.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 171 

KING OF SICILY. 

Then why sit we here ? 
Up and be doing ! for each minute lost 
May give him wings to fly. Get we to horse. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE V, 

The Convent of the Celestines. Iolande kneeling beside 
the body of the Duke of Orleans. In front Eaiz de 
Vezelay and Flos de Flavy. 

FLOS. 

She hears us not. Vex not her ears with words ; 
They do no good. 

de vezelay. 
But if she linger here 
Her death is sure. 

FLOS. 

Thou know'st her not ; I do ; 
She will not fly. 

DE VEZELAY. 

Alas, then she is lost ! 



172 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 

FLOS. 

Her soul is hardly with her. Tis with his. 
Since she took water and with her kerchief washed 
The bloodstains from his face, she hath not stirred. 
How grand he looks ! Death's grandeur and his own. 

IOLANDE. 

Not cold — not yet. 

DE YEZELAY. 

Did she not speak ? 

FLOS. 

To us? 
No, not to us. 

iolande (springs to her feet). 

Great God ! Look there, look there ! 
The blood is gushing freely from the wound. 

DE VEZELAY. 

Then is the murderer near. 

Enter the Bastard of Montargis. 

montargis (affecting to start bach). 

Oh piteous sight ! 
Oh woeful spectacle ! What, lies he there, 



scene v.] ST. CLEMENTS EVE. 173 

He that was yesterday so bold and gay ! 

At this even they that loved him not would weep ; 

And how should I forbear ? 

IOLANDE. 

Assassin, hence ! 
Profane not thou the presence of this corse, 
Lest it arise and slay thee. Felon, hence ! 

MONTAKGIS. 

What ! charge you me with this unhappy deed ? 
And call you me a murderer? 

FLOS. 

Yea, she doth. 

MONTAEGIS. 

Ha ! doth she truly ? she is ill advised. 

Her pardon if I weigh but at its worth 

The charge of one, who, if I read aright 

The warrant in my hand, herself is charged 

With deeds more terrible than she lays on me ; 

Foul witchcraft linked with treason; for which 

crimes 
I come, as by this warrant is commanded, 
To take her to her doom. 



174 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act v. 

FLOS. 

Fell miscreant, hold ; 
Approach her not. 



MONTARGIS. 

Stand from me or by Heaven 
I'll shake thee from my path. 

DE VEZELAY. 

False child of Hell, 
Home to thy dam ! 

[Stabs Mm, and he falls. 

MONTARGIS. 

Perfidious Eaiz, why this ? 
I never did thee wrong. 

BE VEZELAY. 

For all mankind 
Whom thou hast wronged in putting on the mask 
Of manhood who wast born and bred a fiend, 
I take this vengeance. 




scene v.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 175 

Enter the Provost of Paris followed by Officers of Justice. 

PROVOST. 

What new gap for life 
Is opened here ? More blood ? Without, within, 
In streets and houses, ay in churches too, 
Kage violence and slaughter, and this night 
The very skies rain blood. 

[Turning to the body of the Duke of Orleans. 

Unhappy Prince ! 
I honoured thee in life, and do I now 
Forget to do thee reverence ! — Ha ! by Heaven, 
Unless mine eyes play false, this writhing wretch 
Is lie whose malice slew thee, and my zeal, 
Though hasting, is belated. Say whose hand 
Was his that balked the headsman of his due 
And laid this traitor low ? 

DE VEZELAY. 

That hand was mine. 

PROVOST. 

I blame thee not, but would not he should die 
Till he be questioned at the Chatelet ; 



176 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act v. 

The rack shall bring some hidden truths to light 
Which else were buried with him. 

MONTARGIS. 

I appeal 
From them that sent thee to my Sovereign Lord, 
His Grace of Burgundy. 

PROVOST. 

In vain, in vain ; 
His Grace hath fled the city. 

MONTARGIS. 

Pled ! So— Well- 
Take thou my body ; for the breath that's in't 
Beware that it take wing not by the way, 
For now it flutters even as for a flight 
More distant than the Duke's. 

provost (to the Officers). 

Sirs, take him hence. 

MONTARGIS. 

One moment, Sirs, I pray you. Ere I go, 
Fain with this lady would I make my peace. 






scene v.] ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 177 

My purpose was that she should share my flight, 
And of this warrant I possessed myself 
To save her, not to harm. This to attest 
Behold what's here, the hand and seal of Death. 

iolande. 
Make thou thy peace with God and not with me ; 
For in Gcd's court and presence we shall stand 
Both thou and I this night. 

PROVOST. 

Sirs, we lose time ; 
I say convey him hence. 

[Exeunt the Provost and his Officers, with Mon- 
targis. Glamour and tumult is heard without, 
and enter Bobert the Hermit. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Oh haste thee, haste ! 
A rolling mass of fury comes this wa} T ; 
Fly by the wicket ; Eaiz de Vezelav, 
Attend her, I beseech thee ; I the while 
Will from the window speak to them, and strive 
To stem the torrent. 



178 ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. [act v. 

IOLANDE. 

Hermit, it is T 
Must speak and vindicate the fame of him 
Whose lips are silent. 

[She advances to the window, is struck by an 
arrow shot from the crowd, and falls. At the 
same time the doors are forced, and the crowd 
appears, but pauses at the sight of the Duke's 
body and of Iolande fallen. 

Hermit, I am slain ; 
And that is well, Christ will receive my soul, 
Knowing that though I fondly loved another 
I strove to love but Him. That other too 
Christ will receive ; for if he sorely sinned, 
Deep was his penitence and large his love. 
I seem to see the Citizens at the door, 
But now mine eyes wax dim, or else my mind, 
And all things swim and glimmer. Cease, dear 

Flos, 
Thou vainly striv'st to staunch it ; let it flow. 
I see more clearly now. Ye that love truth 
And of these fearful miserable days 






scene vj ST. CLEMENT'S EVE. 179 

Would justly judge, accuse not in blind wrath 
Him that lies there, whose true and generous soul 
Was faithful to the King. 'Twas mine, 'twas mine, 
The fault was mine, that though I worked in faith 
And sought the King's deliverance, all was vain ; 
Being I was not worthy. Lo ! I die, 
And bless the hand from which this arrow flew, 
And ask forgiveness, first of God, and next 
Of you, the People. Free amongst the dead. 

[Dies. 

ROBERT THE HERMIT. 

Back, Citizens ; that which ye sought ye have, 
Though now methinks ye would ye had it not ; 
And some are weeping. Hie ye to your homes. 

[The people retire. 

He turns to Flos and Be Yezelay. 
Arise, if horror have not starked your limbs, 
And bear we to the Chapel reverently 
These poor remains. In her a fire is quenched 
That burned too bright, with either ardour fed, 
Divine and human. In the grave with him 
I bury hope ; for France from this time forth 



180 ST. CLEMENTS EVE. [act v. 

Is but a battle-field, where crime with crime, 
Vengeance with vengeance grapples ; till one sword 
Shall smite the neck whence grow the hundred heads, 
And one dread mace, weighted with force and 

fraud, 
Shall stun this nation to a dismal peace. 

[Exeunt 






NOTES. 



The abilities and accomplishments of Louis Duke of 
Orleans did not die with him. On the very day of his 
death was born Dunois, Bastard of Orleans (the offspring 
of his amour with Madame De Chauny), who was cherished 
by his widow with a love not less than that which she 
bare to her own children, and to whose wisdom and 
prowess Charles VII. owed the restoration of Normandy 
and Guyenne to the crown of France ; whilst his legiti- 
mate son, Charles Due d'Orleans, wounded and taken 
prisoner at the battle of Agincourt, applied himself to 
literature and poetry for his consolation during a mourn- 
ful captivity of twenty-five years. " II faisait des vers 
mieux que personne en France, et trouvait un doulou- 
reux plaisir a celebrer, dans de touchantes ballades, le 
regret de passer sa vie loin de son pays, de sa famille, de 
ses amours, et de rester oisif et inutile, sans pouvoir 
gagner la gloire des chevaliers. II deplorait aussi les 
calamites et rappelait l'ancienne renomm^e du noble 
royaume de France, lui reprochant ses d6sordres qui 
avaient attire la colore celeste. II demandait a Dieu de 
lui accorder, avant d'arriver a la vieillesse, les plaisirs de 
la paix et du retour. D'autres fois, il reprochait a la 



182 NOTES. 

Fortune d'exercer sur lui une si rude seigneurie, et de 
faire si fort la rencherie. 

" ' Dois-je toujours ainsi languir ? 

Helas ! et n'est-ce pas assez ?' " 

Ce triste refrain revenait a chaque couplet de la ballade, 
et elle finissait ainsi : 

" ' De ballader j'ai beau loisir, 
Autres deduits rae son casses, 
Prisonnier suis, d' amour martyr ; 
Helas ! et n'est-ce pas assez ? '" 

Barante, vol. vi. pp. 228, 229. 

The gifts and attainments which adorn the exile of a 
Prince of the House of Orleans in our own time, are not 
therefore without a precedent in times past. 

P. 147. 

"And say I gladly would have lived to serve her, 
"Wherein defeated, I as gladly die." 

So speak from their graves the Spanish lovers and 
martyrs of Liberty in Landor's Inscription : 

"Lubenter quiesceremus libertate parta ; 
"Quiescinius, amissa, perlubenter." 



LONDON . 1T.INTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD .->TRkF.T. 



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